Description of Paradise and Its Rivers

Allah then says:

مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ...

The description of Paradise which is promised for those who have Taqwa...

Ikrimah said, مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ (The description of Paradise),

"This means its description.''

... فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِّن مَّاء غَيْرِ آسِنٍ ...

In it are rivers of water that are not Asin,

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah all said,

"It does not change.''

Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, and Ata' Al-Khurasani all said,

"It is not foul-smelling.''

The Arabs say Asin if its (water) scent changes.

... وَأَنْهَارٌ مِن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ ...

rivers of milk, the taste of which never changes,

which means that the milk is of utmost whiteness, sweetness, and richness.

It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,

"Their milk did not come out of the udders of cattle.''

... وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ ...

rivers of wine delightful to those who drink it,

which means that the wine does not have a bad taste or foul smell like that of the worldly life. Rather, it is good in its appearance, taste, smell, and effect, as Allah says,

لاَ فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلاَ هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ

it (the wine) has no bad effects, nor does it cause intoxication. (37:47)

and,

لاَّ يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلاَ يُنزِفُونَ

From which (the wine) they will have no headache, nor will they be intoxicated. (56:19)

and,

بَيْضَآءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّـرِبِينَ

white, delicious to the drinkers. (37:46)

It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,

"Their wine was not pressed under men's feet.''

... وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى ...

and rivers of refined honey;

which means that the honey is of utmost purity and pleasant color, taste, and smell.

It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,

"Their honey did not come out of the bellies of bees.''

Imam Ahmad recorded from Hakim bin Mu`awiyah who narrated from his father that Allah's Messenger said,

فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَحْرُ اللَّبَنِ وَبَحْرُ الْمَاءِ وَبَحْرُ الْعَسَلِ وَبَحْرُ الْخَمْرِ، ثُمَّ تُشَقَّقُ الْأَنْهَارُ مِنْهَا بَعْد

Verily, there is in Paradise a lake of milk, a lake of water, a lake of honey, and a lake of wine. The rivers then gush out of them.

At-Tirmidhi reported this narration in his section of the Description of Paradise, and he said, "Hasan Sahih.

In the Sahih, it is recorded that Allah's Messenger said,

إِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللهَ تَعَالى فَاسْأَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ فَإِنَّهُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَعْلَى الْجَنَّةِ، وَمِنْهُ تُفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَفَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمن

When you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, because it is the central and highest part of the Paradise, and from it gush the rivers of the Paradise and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.

Allah says,

... وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ ...

...and therein for them are all kinds of fruits, ...

This similar to His saying,

يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكلِّ فَـكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ

They will call in it for every kind of fruit in peace and security. (44:55)

And His saying,

فِيهِمَا مِن كُلِّ فَـكِهَةٍ زَوْجَانِ

In them will be every kind of fruits in pairs. (55:52)

Allah says

... وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ...

...and forgiveness from their Lord.

meaning, in addition to all of the above.

Allah says,

... كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ ...

Can this be likened to those who abide eternally in the Fire?

meaning, `can those that We have described their position in the Paradise be like those who will abide eternally in the Fire?'

They are not equal, and nor are those who will be in the high ranks (in the Paradise) and those who will be in the lowest depths (Hell).

... وَسُقُوا مَاء حَمِيمًا ...

and are given to drink boiling water,

meaning, extremely hot; so hot that it is unbearable.

... فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءهُمْ ﴿١٥﴾

that severs their intestines,

meaning, that will cut their insides -- both bowels and intestines.

We seek refuge in Allah from that.