The Levels of Paradise

 (i) Evidence that Paradise has various levels and its inhabitants will be in different categories Paradise consists of levels, some of which are above others, and its people will be of differing levels and categories according to their position in Paradise. Allaah (swt) says: "Whoever wishes for the quick passing [transitory enjoyment of this world] we readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell, he will burn therein disgraced and rejected, [-far away from Allaah's Mercy]. And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due to it, [i.e. righteous deeds of obedience to Allaah] while he is a believer [in tawheed] then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded [by Allaah]. To each - these as well as those - We bestow from the bounties of your Rabb. And the bounties of your Rabb can never be forbidden" [17:18-20] Allaah (swt) explains how He gives more of His bounty in this world or the next, as He (swt) wills, and His Bounty is not withheld [forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Then He (swt) says: "See how We prefer one above another [in this world] and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in preference." [17:21] Allaah (swt) explains that the differences between people in the Hereafter will be greater than the differences between them in this life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter is greater than the differences here in this life. Allaah (swt) also differentiates between His Prophets as He does between the rest of His believing slaves. Allaah (swt) says: "Those Messengers! We preferred some to others; to some of them Allaah spoke [directly]; others He raised to degrees of [honour]; and to 'Eesa the son of Maryam, We gave clear proofs and evidence, and supported him with Ruh al-Quddus [Jibreel]..." [2:253] and "...And indeed We have preferred some of the Prophets above others.." [17:55] Muslim reports from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said "A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah (swt) than a weak one although both are good..." and al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Abu Hurayrah and 'Amr ibn al-Aas that the Prophet (saw) said, "If a judge seeks to form an independent judgement [ijtihaad] and is correct, he will have two rewards; if he seeks to form an independent judgement and is wrong, he will have one reward." Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta'ala, says: "Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquest [of Makkah] [with those among you who did so later]. Such are higher in degree that those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all, Allaah has promised the best [reward]." [57:10] And "Not equal are those of the believers who sit [at home] except those who are disabled [by injury or are blind or lame, etc] and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives. Allaah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit [at home]. Unto each, Allaah has promised good [Paradise] but Allaah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit [at home] by a huge reward; degrees of [higher] grades from Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, All-Merciful". [4:95-96] Page 57 al-Jannah wa an-Naar – In the Light of the Qur'aan and Sunnah "Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram [at Makkah] as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah? They are not equal before Allaah. And Allaah guides not those people who are the Dhaalimoon. Those who believed and emigrated and strove hard and fought in Allaah's Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allaah. They are the successful. Their Rabb gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased and of Gardens for them wherein are everlasting delights. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allaah is a great reward". [9:19-22] "Is one who is obedient to Allaah prostrating himself or standing [in prayer]during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Rabb [like one who disbelievers]? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember [i.e. learn a lesson from Allaah's Signs]" [39:9] The Prophet (saw) said, narrated by al-Bukhaari from Abu Hurayrah, "...Paradise has one hundred levels which Allaah has reserved for the mujaahideen who fight in His Cause and the distance between each of the two grades is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allaah for something, ask for al-Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise. Above it is the throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate the rivers of Paradise". [al-Bukhaari in asSaheeh, Kitaab al-Jihaad, Baab Darajat al-Mujaahideen fi Sabeelillaah, Fath al-Baari, 6/11] al-Bukhaari also reports from Anas that Umm Harithah came to the Prophet (saw) when her son Harithah had been martyred at Badr, killed by an arrow. She said, "O Messenger of Allaah, you know how dear Harithah was to my heart. If he is in Paradise, I will not weep over him, but if he is not there, you will see what I do". He said, "Is there only one Paradise? There are many Paradises and he is in al-Firdaws, the Highest." [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah, wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/418]