Do natural events such as daytime-night and winter and summer occur in Heaven?

Dear Brother / Sister,

As far as we can deduce from the resources, natural events do not occur in Heaven. When considered that aforenamed natural events are due to the movement of the Earth that is included in the Solar System and to the atmosphere surrounding it, it can be comprehended that there is no possibility of such events to occur in Heaven.

Indeed, - when considered based on wisdom - it is necessary that the eternal world be outside of the wheel of time so that it could exist eternally; for, everything dragged by the river of time is destined to die. As there is no death in Heaven, it is impossible to mention “time” in this sense. However, almost all natural events occur in connection with the notion of time. The places where people prefer to have a rest and relax are always surrounded by nature. One of the reasons why humans quest for natural beauty is that Allah created human beings in a way that they can appreciate heavenly beauties as stated in the verse

“They own all kinds (of trees and delights).” (ar-Rahman 55/48)

It is also stated in the Quran that climate in heaven is moderate, neither cold nor hot, which human soul will enjoy the best, in addition to natural beauties:

“…We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening.” (an-Nisa, 04/57)

Acting upon the Quran and statements made in reliable Hadiths, the main beauties of Heaven can be determined as follows:

1. Infinite luxury and comfort

2. Eternal peace and serenity

3. The inhabitants of Heaven being utterly strong and skillful both in bodily and spiritual aspects.

4. Spiritual satisfaction (consent)

5. Seeing Allah, talking to Him

6. An eternity encompassing all of these

Researches on history of religions have proved that the notions of Judgement Day, punishment and reward are accepted by almost all religions and belief systems. Generally, the view of Heaven’s description adopted by most Islamic scholars is that true nature of Heaven cannot be known. This is because, in addition to the verse (as-Sajdah, 32/17) which expresses that causes of happiness designed in Heaven for faithful slaves (human beings in relation to Allah) is beyond all imagination, the well-known text which is narrated as a sacred hadith points out this issue clearly:

“I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.” (Bukhari, Tafsir 1; Muslim, Jannah 2-5).

It is necessary to conceive depictions in axiom under the same conditions or by changing them with imagination, since five senses and perception of minds in earthly life are bound by natural conditions. Thus, it is stated in some Quranic verses that there are similarities between the perceptions of the Earth and the Hereafter relating to Heaven and its blessings (al-Baqara, 2/25; Muhammad, 47/6).

The statement commonly narrated from Ibn Abbas “There is nothing in Heaven but names that reminds Earth.” (Maqdisi 1/194), should be an expression indicating the  difference of true nature between the two.

Various views put forward on the interpretation of verses expressing that Heaven is as wide as skies and earth (Aal-i Imran, 3/133; al Hadid, 21)  are as follows:

1. This is a metaphor to express that Heaven is so wide that it cannot be imagined. According to this view, “ard (earth)” means width. As the narrow side of an area usually forms its width, the length of Heaven will be much longer according to this metaphor.

2. Heaven is as precious as the universe which can be comprehended by humans in the earthly life.

3. Heaven is introduced to the knowledge and perception of humans, just like the physical world is introduced to the man’s perception.

It is indicated in a hadith on this issue that the Heaven prepared for the ones who fight for the sake of Allah has “a hundred levels” and the distance between each level is as far as the distance between the sky and the earth (Bukhari, Jihad 4; Muslim, Imarah 116). It is stated that these levels, which are understood to be different places in terms of blessings they have, will be equal in number to the traits of belief, and a person who gathers all these traits in themselves will attain all levels.

Some verses describing Heaven also indicate that there are fountains in Heaven: “The righteous (will be) amid Gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water)” (al-Hijr, 15/45, al-Mursalat, 77/41). The chapters al-Ghashiyah and ar-Rahman tell about flowing fountains and some other verses state that the inhabitants of Heaven will drink from these fountains (ar-Rahman 55/50, 66; al-Ghasiyah, 88/12; al-Insan, 76/6, 18; al-Mutaffifin, 83/28).

It is normal for trees to exist in Heaven (Jannah), the literary meaning of which is “garden”. Along with shades, branches, green plants locked in a close embrace, and trees fruits of which can easily be picked, some verses particularly mention trees and plants such as dates, pomegranates, basil, cherries and bananas (ar-Rahman, 55/12, 68; al-Waqia, 56/28-29). In a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) states the following: “There is a tree in Paradise so huge that if a rider travels in its shade for one hundred years, he will not be able to cross it." (Bukhari, Bad’ul-Khalq 8; Muslim, Jannah 6-8). As it is also indicated by Fakhruddin Razi, if the word “Tuba” is interpreted as “every beautiful thing that leads to eternal happiness”, all facilities will be included within the scope of the meaning of this word.

In one of his hadiths, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) states that Heaven is made of silver and golden bricks, its mortar is musk, its stones are pearls and rubies and that those who enter Heaven will live in abundance, free of sorrow and sadness, that they will stay there forever, they will never die, their clothes will never wear out, and their youthfulness will never fade away (at-Taj, vol. 5, p. 402).

What kind of a heavenly life does Islam promise to distinguished servants of Allah? This life has two important characteristics, which the verses and hadiths regarding the issue agree on and emphasize: Everything that is desired and eternity. One Quranic verse states the following: “There will be there all that the souls could desire all that the eyes could delight in: and ye shall abide therein (for aye)” (az-Zukhruf, 43/71). It can be deduced from the Quran’s various statements that angels, who cannot be perceived through sense organs in earthly life, serve humans, protect them and wish well-being for those who follow the path of Allah. Angels will start to appear to the righteous and honest people in the Hereafter and will advise them not to be taken with fear or grief during their adaptation to their new life by saying, “We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask. A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful ” (Fussilat, 41/31-32).

When the Prophet (pbuh) talked about unlimited opportunities and happiness in Heaven for several reasons, the listeners occasionally asked if there were animals such as horses and camels in Heaven and he answered them as follows:-: ‘If Allah puts you into Paradise, you will have what your soul desires and your eye takes pleasure in." (Tirmidhi, Sifat-al Jannah, 11). Although the Prophet (pbuh) indicated that the opportunities and blessings were marvelous in general, he did not make detailed descriptions. Though a theoretical objection putting forward the idea that “what if people demand impossible things which are harmful to others, virtueless and conflictive?” can be made against the principle that anything desired by the inhabitants of Heaven will come true, it is clear that such demands will not be made since humans admitted into Heaven will have been purified from physiological and psychological flaws.

According to the hadiths (Bukhari, Bad’ul-Khalq 8; Muslim, Jannah 14-22; Tirmidhi, Sifatul-Jannah 7)  which Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi narrated through various chains, believers will enter Heaven shining like full moon and bright stars. Although they will eat and drink as they desire there, they will not feel the need to relieve nature, they will not blow their noses or spit out. The food they take will not bring on any burdens other than pleasant scented eructation and sweat. Since the inhabitants of Heaven will not feel exhaustion or boredom (Fatir, 35/35), they will not need to sleep, either. It is noted in one hadith depicting the opportunities given to the inhabitants of Heaven that they will be addressed as follows: “You will remain healthy forever, disease will never come. You will remain alive for ever, death will never come. You will remain in bounties which will never be finished.” (Muslim, jannah 22). In some narrations of the hadiths on this issue, it is said that the men who will enter Heaven will have a body structure similar to their ancestor Adam, a height of 60 arshins (equal to 40,80 meters; arshin = 68 cm). Moreover, it is mentioned that these men will be 33 years old forever but will display an appearance of beardless youngsters. It is also expressed that women will have very beautiful skins and will be dressed with very precious clothes.

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