This blog continues the series of studies looking at references to the Garden(s) of Paradise, as depicted in the Qur’an. Our last blog on this matter was on May 4.
The next relevant passage is from Surah 41:27-32 (Yusuf Ali):
27: But We will certainly give the Unbelievers a taste of a severe Penalty, and We will requite them for the worst of their deeds.
28: Such is the requital of the enemies of Allah,- the Fire: therein will be for them the Eternal Home: a (fit) requital, for that they were wont to reject
Our Signs.29: And the Unbelievers will say: “Our Lord! Show us those, among Jinns and men, who misled us: We shall crush them beneath our feet, so that they become the vilest (before all).
30: In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): “Fear ye not!” (they suggest), “Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), the which ye were promised!
31: “We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for!-
32: “A hospitable gift from one Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!”
Here Allah (the royal “we”) is speaking, promising retribution in the form of eternal hell-fire on non-Muslims. This is deemed to be a just penalty for rejecting Muhammad’s claims to be relaying a revelation from Allah. On the Day of Judgment when non-Muslims realize ‘the game is up’ and what a terrible fate awaits them they will be wanting in turn to exact revenge on evil spirits, jinns, and people who they deem to be responsible for leading them away from the true religion, Islam. By contrast, all true Muslims who recognize Allah as their god and behave like good Muslims will be reassured by angels that they will indeed enter the Garden of Paradise, enjoying angelic protection in this life and in Paradise with the prospect of having whatever they want when they get to Paradise. Such abundant provision comes from Allah as one who is forgiving and merciful.
The Bible associates deception with Satan and demonic influence. However, the Islamic concept of jinns does not correspond to the biblical concept of demons. For biblical demons are angels, albeit fallen ones. By contrast, a jinn or genie is an intelligent being created by God that is neither human nor angelic. In Surah 55:14-15 it is explained that humans are made of clay, angels of light and jinns of fire. The fate of jinn, like that of humans, will be determined on the Day of Judgment, with some consigned to hell and others admitted to Paradise, though there is nowhere in the Qur’an that suggests that jinn and good Muslims will share the same space in Paradise. Most jinn are considered to be evil. Many ordinary Muslims are afraid of jinn.
In the Bible angels are primarily messengers of God. It is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who indwells believers, preparing believers for the new home awaiting them in the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. Accordingly, the Spirit develops within the lives of God’s people Christlike character. An important point of distinction between the Qur’anic and the biblical perspective is that there is a disjunct between that which all people desire as fallen creatures and that which the Spirit desires. When believers come under the lordship of Christ then the indwelling Holy Spirit generates God-honouring desires. In Paradise we will indeed enjoy all that we desire since all of the true people of God will only desire that which pleases and honours God.
Posted May 4, 2011
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