Jannah ÌäøÉ is the Islamic name for
paradise. It is derived from the Hebrew term Gan Eden or Garden
of Eden. The Arabic form Jannah, is a shortened version meaning
simply "Garden". According to Islamic eschatology, after death,
one will reside in the grave until the appointed resurrection on
Yaum al-Qiyamah. Muslims believe that the treatment of the
individual in the life of the grave will be according to his or
her deeds in the worldly life. Jannah is often compared to
Christian concepts of Heaven.
The Qu'ran contains many references to an afterlife in Eden for
those who do good deeds. Heaven itself is commonly described in
the Qu'ran in verse 35 of Surah Al-Ra’d: "The parable of the
Garden which the righteous are promised! Beneath it flow rivers.
Perpetual is the fruits thereof and the shade therein. Such is
the End of the Righteous; and the end of the unbelievers is the
Fire, wherein a person dwells forever." Since Islam rejects the
concept of original sin, Muslims believe that all human beings
are born pure and will naturally turn to God, but it is their
environment which influences them to choose ungodly ways of
life. In Islam, therefore, a child who dies automatically goes
to heaven, regardless of the religion of his or her parents. The
highest level of heaven is Firdaws (ÝÑÏæÓ), which is where the
prophets, the martyrs and the most truthful and pious people
will dwell.
Muslims believe that it is only God's will that determines who
may enter Jannah and who may not.
In contrast to Jannah, the words Jahannam and Nar are used to
refer to the concept of hell. |
