Jannah (Arabic: جنّة‎ Jannah), an eternal place for Muslims, is the Islamic conception of paradise. The Arabic word 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 Yawm al–Qiyāmah. 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. According to Muslim belief, everything one longs for in this world will be there in Paradise.

Jannat-ul-Firdaws

The highest level of Paradise is Firdaws (Arabic: فردوس), which is where the prophets, the martyrs and the most truthful and pious people will dwell. In contrast to Jannah, the words Jahannam and Nār are used to refer to the concept of hell. There are many words in the Arabic language for both Heaven and Hell and those words also appear in the Quran and Hadeeth and most of them have become part of the Islamic traditions. 

Names of Jannah in Holy Qur’an

• Firdaws — The Highest Gardens of the Paradise (al-Kahf, Al-Mu’minoon)
• Dār al-maqāmah — The Home (Fāṭir)
• Dār al-salām — Home of Peace (Yūnus)
• Dār al-Ākhirah — The Home in the Hereafter (al-‘Ankabūt)
• al-Jannah — This is the most commonly used term in the Qur’an and Hadith. (al-Baqarah, Āl ‘Imran, al-Ma’idah)
• Jannat al-ʿadn — Gardens of Everlasting Bliss (al-Tawbah: 72, al-Ra‘d)
• Jannat al-Khuld — The Eternal Gardens (al-Furqān)
• Jannat al-Ma’wā — Garden of Abode (al-Najm)
• Jannat al-Na‘īm — The Gardens of Delight (al-Mā’idah, Yūnus, al-Ḥajj)
• Maq‘ad al-Ṣidq — Assembly of Truth (al-Qamar)
• al-Maqām al-Amīn — The House of Security (al-Dukhān)

Doors of Jannah  

According to hadith, there are eight doors of Jannah. Their names are as following:

1. Bāb al–Ṣalāh: For those who were punctual in prayer.
2. Bāb al-Jihād: For those who took part in jihad.
3. Bāb al-Ṣadaqah: For those who gave charity more often.
4. Bāb al-Rayyān: For those who fasted (siyam).
5. Bāb al-Ḥajj: For those participated in the annual pilgrimage.
6. Bāb al-Kāẓimīn al-Ghayẓ wa-al-‘Āfīn ‘an al-Nās: For those who withheld their anger and forgave others.
7. Bāb al-Aymān: For those who by virtue of their faith are saved from reckoning and chastisement.
8. Bāb al-Dhikr: For those who showed zeal in remembering Allah.

Allah says in Holy Qur’an: 

“Truly, the muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons) will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (Jannah). (It will be said to them): ‘Enter therein (Jannah), in peace and security.’ And We shall remove from their breasts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have). (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.” [Al-Qur’an 15:45-48]

“(It will be said to the believers of Islamic Monotheism): ‘My slaves! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve. (You) who believed in Our ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e., who submit totally to Allah’s Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allah). Enter Jannah, you and your wives, in happiness.’ Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that inner-selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever. This is the Jannah which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world). Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).” [Al-Qur’an 43:68-73]

“Verily, the muttaqun (the pious), will be in place of security (Jannah). Among Gardens and springs dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other. So (it will be). And We shall marry them to hur (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security. They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire. As a bounty from your Rabb! That will be the supreme success!” [Al-Qur’an 44:51-57]

“Verily, al-abrar (the pious and righteous) will be in Delight (Jannah). On thrones, looking (at all things). You will recognise in their faces the brightness of delight. They will be given to drink of pure sealed wine. The last thereof (that wine) will be the smell of musk, and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e., hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah). It (that wine) will be mixed with tasnim. A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.” [Al-Qur’an 83:22-28]

Ahadees related to Jannah

Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “The inhabitants of Jannah will eat and drink therein, but they will not have to pass excrement, to blow their noses or to urinate. Their food will be digested producing belch which will give out a smell like that of musk. They will be inspired to declare the freedom of Allah from imperfection and proclaim His Greatness as easily as you breathe.” [Muslim]

Another narration is that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “Their utensils will be of gold, their perspiration will smell like musk; everyone of them will have two wives; the marrow of the bones of the wives’ legs will be seen through the flesh out of excessive beauty. They (i.e., the people of Jannah) will neither have difference, nor enmity (hatred) amongst themselves; their hearts will be as if one heart, and they will be glorifying Allah in the morning and in the afternoon.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “In Jannah the believer will have a tent made of a single hollowed pearl of which the length will be sixty miles in the sky. The believer will have his wives with him and he will visit them and they will not be able to see one another.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudhri, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “There is a tree in Jannah that is so huge that if a rider of a swift horse has to cover its distance from one end to another in one hundred years, he will not be able to do so.”
Another narration from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, is that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “A rider will not be able to cross its (the tree’s) shade even after travelling for one hundred years.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudhri, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “The dwellers of Jannah will look at those in the upper abodes above them as you look at a shining star which remains in the eastern or western horizon; such will be the difference in superiority which some of them have over others.” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, was asked: “Will those be the dwellings of the Prophets which no one else will be able to reach?” He, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, replied, “Yes, but by Him in Whose Hand my soul is! men who believed in Allah and acknowledged the truthfulness of the Messengers will reach them.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes and, consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness. They will then return to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their families will say to them: ‘We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty and loveliness since leaving us.’ Thereupon they will reply: ‘We swear by Allah that you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.” [Muslim]].

Abu Sa’id and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them, reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “When the dwellers of Jannah enter Jannah, an announcer will call: (You have a promise from Allah that) you will live therein and you will never die; you will stay healthy therein and you will never fall ill; you will stay young and you will never become old; you will be under a constant bliss and you will never feel miserable” [Muslim]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “The lowest place of any of you in Jannah will be that Allah will tell him to express his wish. He will wish and wish again. Allah will then ask him: ‘Have you expressed your wish?’ He will answer: ‘Yes, I have.’ Allah will say: ‘You will have what you have wished for and the like thereof along with it.’ “ [Muslim]

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudhri, may Allah be pleased with him, said the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “Allah, the Rabb of honour and glory, will say to the inhabitants of Jannah’ ‘O inhabitants of Jannah!’ They will respond: ‘Here we are! At Your service, O our Rabb. All good is in Your Hand!’ He will ask them: ‘Are you pleased?’ They will reply: ‘Why should we not be pleased, O Rabb, when You have given us what You have not given to any of Your creatures?’ Allah will say: ‘Shall I not give you something better than that?’ They will ask: ‘O Rabb! What can be better than that?’ Allah will say: ‘I shall bestow My Pleasure upon you and I shall never be displeased with you.’ “ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Jarir bin ‘Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, when he looked at the full moon and observed, “You shall see your Rabb in the Hereafter as you are seeing this moon; and you will not feel the slightest inconvenience in seeing Him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Suhayb, may Allah be pleased with him, reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, said, “When the inhabitants of Jannah enter Jannah, Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, will say to them: ‘Do you wish me to give you anything more?’ They will reply: ‘Have You not made our faces bright? Have You not brought us into Jannah and delivered us from the Hell?’ And Allah will remove the Veil. The (dwellers of Jannah) will feel that they have not been awarded anything dearer to them than looking at their Rabb.” [Muslim]

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Our Prophet (P.B.U.H) was sent as a mercy for All.
Prophet (P.B.U.H) was even merciful to animals .
Some incidents in his life would highlight this element of Mercy in the teachings of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) .

1) Prophet SAW came across a camel crying and howling due to thirst and hunger , he strictly advised the owner to look after his camel for the of being deprived of food and water on the day of judgement .


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2) Prophet Saw was amongst his companions and he noticed a bird flying around violently as if in distress . He inquired what the cause was and a companion got up and said that he had taken out the nestlings from the bird’s nest .
Prophet was very annoyed and immediately ordered him to but them back saying cant you see how restless the mother bird was …
But today some beast humans abduct some mothers children for their lust of money…

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3) Prophet (P.B.U.H) had camped up at a place while his journey when he saw a fire lit some distance away . He asked why the fire had been set ?
Was told that their was an anthill which was put to fire with the feeling that the ants might disturb us .
Prohet SAW told ,
” to burn and punish with fire is only the right of the creator of fire ”

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4) Prophet SAW narrated the story of a traveller of Bani Israel who got down a well when he got thirsty . When he had climbed back he saw a thirsty dog panting with thirst . The traveller had mercy on the dog got down the well and brought out water in his leather shoe to let the dog drink to quench his thirst. .


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Allah merciful liked the act of mercy to the extent that he rewarded the man with Jannah !
Allah help us develop the trait of Mercy so that we get Allah’s mercy on the Day of Judgement
Aameen

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Almost as soon as the Arab armies of Islam conquered new lands, they began erecting mosques and palaces and commissioning other works of art as expressions of their faith and culture. Many aspects of religious practice in Islam also emerged and were codified. The religious practice of Islam, which literally means "to submit to God", is based on tenets that are known as the Five Pillars, arkan, to which all members of the Islamic community, Umma, should adhere.

1. The Profession of Faith—The Shahada

The Profession of Faith, the shahada, is the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It simply states that “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores the monotheistic nature of Islam. It is an extremely popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy and appears in numerous manuscripts and religious buildings.

• The declaration "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet."
• 
  

• 2. Daily Prayers—Salat
• Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. This does not mean that they need to attend a mosque to pray; rather, the salat, or the daily prayer, should be recited five times a day. Muslims can pray anywhere; however, they are meant to pray towards Mecca. The faithful pray by bowing several times while standing and then kneeling and touching the ground or prayer mat with their foreheads, as a symbol of their reverence and submission to Allah. On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near midday to pray and to listen to a sermon, khutba.

General Features of Islamic Prayer

• Five prayer times each day:
  • early morning
  • noon
  • mid-afternoon
  • sunset
  • evening
• Raq'ah: Bowing and prostration. Represents submission to God.
• Qiblah, direction for prayer towards Mecca. Designated by Mihrab, niche in the wall.
• Du'a, spontaneous private prayer exists, but is less important than communal worship.

Elements of Public prayer:

• Minaret (Tower for Muadhdhin to announce services).
• Imam leads prayers. Worshippers stand behind in straight lines.
• Imam or other scholar delivers a sermon (khutba ) from the pulpit (minbar).
• Women are not required to attend prayers. When they do, they usually stand behind the men men.
• Friday, Yawm al-Jum'ah (Day of Assembly), main day of public prayer.

3. Alms-Giving—Zakat

The giving of alms is the third pillar. Although not defined in the Qu’ran, Muslims believe that they are meant to share their wealth with those less fortunate in their community of believers.

• Originally a free-will donation (what is no called Sadaqah).
• Now largely compulsory.
• General rate: 2 1/2% of income annually.
• Given only to needy Muslims, or for religious purposes, etc.

4. Fasting during Ramadan—Saum

During the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk. While there are exceptions made for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

• In memory of the revelation of the Qur'an.
• During month of Ramadan, daylight hours.
• Those who have medical exemptions etc. should fast at another time.
• 'Id al-Fitr, Feast of Fast-breaking: at beginning of next month.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca—Hajj

All Muslims who are able are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times. Pilgrimage occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.

• Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life-time.
• Egalitarian atmosphere, Ihram:
  • donning of simple white garments.
  • Refraining from sex, haircuts, jewelry, arguing, etc.
• Importance of the Ka'ba, associations with Abraham, Hagar Ishmael and Muhammad.

Symbolic reenactments of past events:

• Tawaf: Circling Ka'ba counterclockwise seven times, emphasizing its centrality.
• Touching black stone of Ka'bah
• Sa'y: Running seven times between hills and drinking from Zamam spring (recalling Hagar's running for water)
• Throwing 49 stones at stone "Satan"s (recalling the resistance to Satan's attempts to prevent Abraham from sacrificing Ishmael).
• On eighth day pilgrims move to the desert and live in tents. Rituals performed there include:
  • Wuquf: Standing in prayer at the Plain of Arafat and Mount of Mercy.
  • 'Id al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): Head or household slaughters animal for feast. Meat is also distributed to the poor.
• Return to Mecca for second circling of Ka'bah.
• Most pilgrims also visit Medinah.

                  Sharia Law के बारे में जानिये Important topic UPSC CLAT 2017 

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Concept of Marriage in Islam

In Islam, marriage is a legal contract between two people. The bride is to consent to the marriage of her own free will. A formal, binding contract is considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride.Marriage is an act of Sunnah in Islam and is highly recommended.



Allah says in Qur’an:

“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in peace and tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect” (Quran 30:21).

“And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.” (Surah an-Nur, 24:32)

“O Humans revere your Guardian Lord, Who created you from a single person created of like nature its mate, and from this scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah through Whom you claim your mutual rights” (Quran 4:1).

“And Allah has made for you your mates of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best.” [Noble Quran 16:72]

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:

“O you young men! Whoever is able to marry should marry, for that will help him to lower his gaze and guard his modesty.” [Al-Bukhari]

“Marriage is my sunnah. Whosoever keeps away from it is not from me.”

“Modesty was regarded as a great virtue by the Prophet. He said, “Modesty is part of faith.” [Al-Bukhari]

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No previously-married woman (widow or divorcee) may be married until she has been asked about her wishes (i.e., she should state clearly her wishes), and no virgin should be married until her permission has been asked (i.e., until she has agreed either in words or by remaining silent).” They asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, how is her permission given (because she will feel very shy)?” He said: “By her silence.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4741)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who marries without the permission of her walee, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1021 and others; it is a saheeh hadeeth)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no marriage contract except with a walee and two witnesses.” (Reported by al-Tabaraani; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7558)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Announce marriages.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; classed as hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1027)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman may conduct the marriage contract of another woman, and no woman can conduct the marriage contract on behalf of her own self, because the zaaniyah (fornicatress, adulteress) is the one who arranges things on her own behalf.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 1782; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7298)

Forced Marriage is Haram in Islam:

Forced marriages are totally unacceptable in Islam. Islam regards marriage as a right of the individual and therefore others cannot make the decision for them. If a woman/man is forced in marriage then the marriage would not be valid and would therefore need to be cancelled. However, daughters and sons should also recognize the rights of their parents and come to an agreed solution before the marriage takes place.

If this does not happen then those who forced the marriage and those who allowed it are both guilty and have committed a major sin.

Rules of Marriage

Consent of Wali and Spouses 

Man and woman agree together to lead married life and this agreement is called nikah (marriage), and the two parties accept the responsibilities and obligations and thus live together as husband and wife.

For nikah it is necessary that both man and woman have attained the age of puberty-the age of full bloom and strength (4:6, 40:67). Nikah is not possible without mutual consent of both the parties in the presence of at least two witnesses, one from the side of the man and the other from the side of woman. (Man and woman have free choice to marry each other (4:3, 19) Men have been forbidden to marry women against their will, they cannot marry without obtaining consent of women and thus become their masters instead of companion. (4:19) The criterion for selection of spouse should be the unanimity of ideology and faith in Islam, and this is the reason why a momin (Believer-man) is forbidden to marry a mushrika (Unbeliever-woman) vice versa, and thus to save home from becoming hell whereas Allah wants it to become heaven (2:221).

Nikah should be performed in a declared manner, and the relationship between the spouses should not be kept a secret. If it is performed secretly it is not legal. (4:25; 5:5) The Quran has not suggested any ceremony for nikah, nor it has mentioned about involvement of a (third) person to perform it. Since nikah is an agreement between two parties, government can formulate rules and regulations (marriage Act), and it has to be performed accordingly.

For those who are capable of getting married the society has to provide facilities for nikah. (24:32) Those who could not get facilities to get married should keep themselves chaste by self-control till they get alliance. [(24:33)-VI, p.803] Prostitution is prohibited.

Married couple is forbidden from sexual Intercourse when:

(I) The women is not in normal physical condition i.e. during menses, and after this period they can have it as per the natural laws (2:222);

(ii) When either of them or both are observing fast (of course from dawn to dusk) (2:187); and

(iii) Even from dusk to dawn when one is in retreat in the mosque (for some assignment). (2:187)

Certain women (relationships) are forbidden for nikah. They are:

(1) Yours mothers

(2) Your daughters

(3) Your sisters

(4) Your father’s sisters

(5) Your mother’s sisters

(6) Your brother’s daughters

(7) Your sister’s daughters

(8) Your foster mothers

(9) Your foster sisters

(10) Mothers of your wives

(11) Your stepdaughters, which have been brought up under your guardianship and are born of wives with whom you have had marital relations. If you have not had marital relations then the prohibition does not apply.

(12) Wives of your real sons.

(13) It is also prohibited to have in marriage two sisters at the same time.

Also forbidden to you in marriage are those women who are already married except those whom you already possess. (4:23,24)

A Muslim man should not marry a mushrika (Unbeliever woman) until she accepts Islam; likewise Muslim woman should not marry mushrik man until he accepts Islam. (2:221) A Muslim woman cannot marry a man from amongst the people who believe in the earlier scriptures (5:5)

Mehar

“Mahr is a wife’s right, which becomes binding upon the husband once the marriage is contracted. It is fully payable after the consummation of marriage but if divorce occurs before the consummation of marriage then half of the Mahr is required to be paid unless the wife or her guardians waive it. Allah says: “And give unto the women, (whom ye marry) free gift of their marriage portions…” (An-Nisa’: 4)

He Almighty also says: “And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty…” (An-Nisa’: 24)

Mahr is very important in Islamic marriage. Allah has used the word “faridah” for it. It means something fixed, decided and obligatory. It is obligatory on the husband to pay mahr to his wife unless she expressly by her own will without any pressure forgives him or returns the amount of mahr to him. Mahr belongs to the wife and it is to be given to her only. It is not the property of her parents or her guardian. No one can forgive the husband to pay the Mahr except the wife herself or, in case she did not go to her husband and the marriage ended without consummation, then in that situation her guardian can also forgive the mahr on her behalf. If a husband dies without paying mahr to his wife, it will be an outstanding debt on him and it must be paid before the distribution of his inheritance among his heirs.

It is a woman’s right and it signifies a husband’s love and appreciation for his wife. In the Qur’an it is called “sadaqah” which means a token of friendship. It is also called “nihlah” which means “a nice gift or present.” Mahr also signifies a husband’s commitment to take care of his wife’s financial needs (nafaqah).

According to the Shari`ah, the mahr should also be reasonable. There is no fixed amount of mahr in the Shari`ah. It should be given according to the financial status of the husband and according to the time and place.

However, it is a principle of the Shari`ah that the mahr should not be too expensive. It is wrong to declare large amount of mahr at the time of marriage to show off or to boast. Some time bride’s family put pressure on the groom and his family for a large amount of mahr so that they may show their pride to their relatives and friends boasting that their daughter was married for a big mahr. Sometimes the groom declares a big amount and secretly thinks that this is just a commitment on paper. People are often heard saying, “Write whatever you want, no one asks and no one pays.” This is playing a game with the rules of Allah. Muslims should only commit to what they are really capable of paying and what they intend to pay. It is haram to enjoy relations with a wife and then deny her the mahr when she demands.”

Wedding Khutbah

This is a typical Muslim nikah khutbah (wedding speech) that would be given by an Imam at a Muslim wedding.

Walima

Walima or the marriage banquet, is the second of the two traditional parts of an Islamic wedding. The walima is performed after the nikah, or marriage ceremony. The word walima is derived from awlam, meaning to gather or assemble. It designates a feast in Arabic . Walima is used as a symbol to show domestic happiness in the household post-marriage] While walima is often used to describe a celebration of marriage.

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