top_heading

Review instances of jannat (جَنَّة) in the Quran – Part III

Introduction

There are 147 of instances closely related Arabic words in the Quran in 2 forms: (1) jannat meaning garden and (2) al-jannat meaning Paradise as shown in the table below while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context, which is a key concept to understand the message coded in the Arabic text of the Quran:

Note:The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.com

Instances of aljannat

96 instances of jannat meaning “Garden” in 93 verses across 35 suras are already reviewed while 51 instances of al-jannat meaning “the Paradise” in 50 verses across 28 suras are described below: It is noted that in English language Hell and Paradise are also considered as proper noun and definite article is not placed before them and this rule has been followed in the translation but there is no wrong if we translate the Arabic word, al-jannat to “the Paradise” while both Paradise and Hell are in feminine gender in Arabic language, and a gender difference in many cases plays a vital role to interpret God’s commandments and laws in the Quran to reflect the appropriate messages in many of its verses.

[2:35] And we said, “O Adam, live you and your wife in the Paradise (yaa’aadamu us’kun anta wa-zawjuka al-jannata), and eat both from it freely wherever you wish, but you do not approach this – the tree, then you will be with the wrongdoers.”

[2:82] And those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds, those are dwellers of the Paradise (ulaaika ashaabu al-jannata); they are abiding therein forever.

[2:111] And they said, “No one will enter the Paradise except who has been a Jew or a Christian (lan yad’khula al-jannata illaa man kaana huudan aw nasaaraa)!” That is their wishful thinking. Say, “bring your proof, if you have been truthful.”

[2:214] Or do you think that you will enter the Paradise (aw hasib’tum an tad’khuluu al-jannata), and while do not come to you an example of those who have passed away before yourselves? Has touched them the adversity and the hardship and they have been shaken until the messenger and those who believed with him say: “When is God’s help?” Definitely indeed, God’s help is near.

[2:221] And you do not marry the idolatrous women until they believe; a believing bondwoman is better than an idolatrous woman, even if she has pleased you. And you do not give in marriage to the idolatrous men until they believe; a believing bondman is better than an idolatrous man, even if he has pleased you. Those – they invite to the Fire, while God invites to the Paradise and the forgiveness by His permission (wa-allahu yad`uu ilaa al-jannati wal-maghfirati bi-idh’nihi). And He makes clear His revelations for the people, that they may take heed.

[3:142] Or Have you thought that you will enter the Paradise (aw hasib’tum an tad’khuluu al-jannata) while God would not know those who among you have strove, and would know the steadfast?

[3:185] Every person has had taste of the death, and you will only be paid in full your reward on a Day of the Resurrection. Then whoever has been drawn away from the Fire and has been admitted to Paradise (fa-man zuh’ziha `ani al-naari wa-ud’khila al-jannata), then certainly, he has succeeded. And the life of the world is not but an enjoyment of the delusion.

[4:124] And whoever does the righteous deeds of a male or a female, while he is a believer, then those – they will enter Paradise and will not be wronged as the speck on a date seed (fa-ulaaika yad’khuluuna al-jannata wa-laa-yuz’lamuuna naqeeran).

[5:72] Certainly, those who have disbelieved say, “Indeed, God – He is the Messiah, son of Mary.” While the Messiah said, “O Children of Israel, you shall worship God, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed, he whoever associates partners with God, then certainly, God has forbidden the Paradise upon him (fa-qad harrama allahu `alayhi al-jannata), and his abode is the Fire. And there ae no helpers for the wrongdoers.

[7:19] “And O Adam, dwell – you and your wife in the Paradise (wa-yaa’aadamu us’kun anta wa-zawjuka al-jannata), and eat both of you from wherever you wish, and you (both) do not approach this – the tree that you (both) would be with the wrongdoers.”

[7:22] Thus, he misled both of them by deception. Then when they both had tasted the tree, their shame became visible to both of them, and they both had begun to fasten over them from leaves of the Paradise (wa-tafiqaa yakhsifaani `alayhimaa min waraqi al-jannata). And their Lord called them both: “Have I not forbidden you both from this – the tree, and say to you both that the Satan is an open enemy to you both?”

[7:27] O children of Adam, let not the Satan entice you as he had driven out your parents from the Paradise (laa-yaftinannakumu al-shaytaanu kamaa akhraja abawaykum mina al-jannata), removing their clothing from them both that their shame is exposed to them both. Indeed, he sees you – he and his tribe from wherever you do not see them. Indeed, we have made the Satan allies of those who do not believe

[7:40] Indeed, those who have denied with our revelations and have become arrogant from them, gates of the heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until the camel passes through an eye of the needle (wa-laa-yad’khuluuna al-jannata hattaa yalija al-jamalu fee sammi al-khiyaati). Thus that we reward the criminals.

[7:42] And those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds while we do not burden any soul beyond its ability. Those are dwellers of Paradise, they wherein will be abiding forever (ulaaika ashaabu al-jannati hum feehaa khaaliduuna).

[7:43] And we have removed whatever of jealousy in their hearts, flowing the rivers of their underneath, and they said, “All the praise belongs to God, the One who has guided us to this. We have not done to receive guidance, if not that God had guided us. Certainly, our Lord’s messengers had come with the truth.” And they have been told that this is Paradise, you have been made to inherit it for what you have done to accomplish (wa-nuuduu an tilkumu al-jannatu ‘uurith’tumuuhaa bimaa kuntum tamaluuna).

[7:44] The dwellers of Paradise have called to the dwellers of the Fire that indeed, we have found true what our Lord has promised us (wa-naadaa ashaabu al-jannati ashaaba al-naari an qad wa-jadnaa maa wa`adanaa rabbunaa haqqan); so have you found true what your Lord has promised?” They said, “Yes.” Then an announcer among them has announced that God’s curse upon the wrongdoers.

[7:46] And between them there is a barrier, and on the heights there are men who recognize all by their marks, and have called out to the dwellers of the Paradise that peace be upon you (wa-naadaw ashaaba al-jannati an salaamun `alaykum)! They do not enter it, but they hope.

[7:49] “Are these whom you have sworn that God will not grant them with mercy?” Enter the Paradise; there is no fear upon you nor will you grieve (ud’khuluu al-jannata laa-khawfun `alaykum wa-laa antum tah’zanuuna).

[7:50] And the dwellers of the Fire have called to the dwellers of Paradise that (wa-naadaa ashaabu al-naari ashaabu al-jannati an)pour upon us from the water or from what God has provided with you. They said, “Indeed, God has forbidden both for the disbelievers.”

[9:111] Indeed, God has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth with that is the Paradise for them (inna allaha ish’taraa mina al-mu’mineena anfusahum wa-amwaalahum bi-anna lahum al-jannata). They fight in God’s path that they kill and they are killed. A true promise of Him in the Taurat and the Injeel and the Quran. And whoever has more faithfulness to his promise than God. So, you shall rejoice in your business, which you have dealt in it. And that – it is the great success.

[10:26] For those who have done good has the best and increased, and neither darkness nor humiliation will cover their faces. Those are the dwellers of the Paradise (ulaaika ashaabu al-jannati), they will be abiding therein forever.

[11:23] Indeed, those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds, and have humbled to their Lord, Those are the dwellers of the Paradise (ulaaika ashaabu al-jannati), they will be abiding therein forever.

[11:108] And as for those who have been made happy are in Paradise (wa-ammaa alladheena su`iduu fafee al-jannati), abiding therein as long as has remained the heavens and the earth, except what your Lord has willed – a bestowal without being the interrupted ones.
[13:35] An allegory of the Paradise, which has been promised for the righteous flows the rivers of its underneath (mathalu al-jannati allatee wa`ida al-muttaquuna tajree min tahtihaa al-nahaaru). Its food is everlasting and its shade. That is an end of those who have feared (God), while an end of the disbelievers is the Fire.

[16:32] Those whom the angels put them to death are good say, “Peace be upon you; enter the Paradise for what you have done to accomplish (salaamun `alaykumu ud’khuluu al-jannata bimaa kuntum ta`maluuna).”

[19:60] Except whoever has repented, and has believed, and has done as righteous, then those will enter the Paradise (illaa man taaba wa-`aamana wa-`amila saalihan fa-ulaaika yad’khuluuna al-jannata), and they will not be wronged in anything.

[19:63] That is the Paradise, which we make to inherit among our servants whoever has been righteous (tilka al-jannata allatee nuurithu min `ibaadinaa man kaana taqiyyan).

[20:117] Then we said, “O Adam, this is an enemy for you and to your wife. So do not let him drive you both out from the Paradise that you would suffer (fa-laa-yukh’rijannakumaa mina al-jannata fa-tashqaa) .

[20:121] Then they both have eaten from it, so their shame has become visible to them, and they have begun to fasten around themselves from leaves of the Paradise (wa-tafiqaa yakhsifaani `alayhimaa waraqi al-jannati). And Adam has disobeyed his Lord and has erred.

[25:24] The dwellers of the Paradise on that day will have a better abode and a best resting place (ashaabu al-jannati yawma’idhin khayrun mus’taqarran wa-ahsanu maqeelan).

[26:90] And Paradise has been brought near for the righteous (wa-`uzlifati al-jannatu lil’muttaqeena).

[29:58] And those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds, surely, we will settle them in the Paradise of lofty mansions flowing the rivers of their underneath, are abiding therein forever (la’nubawwi-annahum mina al-jannati ghurafan tajree min tahtihaa al-nahaaru khaalideena feehaa). It has been excellent reward of the workers.

[36:26] He (the righteous at the time of death) has been told, “Enter the Paradise.” He said, “Oh, I wish my people know (qeela ud’khili al-jannata qaala yaa’layta qawmee ya`lamuuna).

[36:55] Indeed, the dwellers of the Paradise this day are in engagement of amusement (inna ashaaba al-jannata al-yawma fee shughulin faakihuuna).

[39:73] And has been driven those who have feared their Lord to the Paradise in throngs until when they have reached it (wa-seeqa alladheena ittaqaw rabbahum ilaa al-jannata zumaran hattaa idhaa jaauuhaa), and has been opened its gates, and its guards said, “Peace be upon you; have been done well by you. so, enter it, are abiding forever.”

[39:74] They said, “Praise to God, who has fulfilled for us His promise, and has made us inherit the earth, we may settle of the Paradise wherever we wish (natabawwa-u mina al-jannati haythu nashaau).” So, it has been excellent reward of the workers.

[40:40] Whoever has done an evil, then he will not be rewarded except of its equivalent, and whoever has done as righteous of a male or a female while he is a believer, then those will enter the Paradise, they will be given provision therein without reckoning (fa-ulaaika yad’khuluuna al-jannata yur’zaquuna feehaa bi-ghayri hisaaban).

[41:30] Indeed, those who have said: “Our Lord is God,” then they have stood firm will descend the angels upon them: “You do not fear, nor do you grieve, and you shall rejoice good news of the Paradise, which has been promised (wa-abshiruu bil-jannati allatee kuntum tu`aduuna).”

[42:7] And thus that we have revealed to you (Muhammad) an Arabic Quran that you may warn a central of the communities and whoever is its around, and that you may warn of a Day of the Gathering, there is no doubt in it; a party will be in Paradise, and a party will be in the Blazing Fire (wa-tundhira yawma al-jam`i laa rayba feehi fareeqan fee al-jannati wa-fareeqan fee al-sa`eeri).

[43:70] Enter the Paradise, you and your spouses being delighted (ud’khuluu al-jannata antum wa-azwaajuukum tuh’baruuna).

[43:72] And that is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit for what you have done to accomplish (wa-tilka al-jannata allatee uurith’tumuuhaa bimaa kuntum ta`maluuna).

[46:14] Those are the dwellers of the Paradise, are abiding therein forever, a reward for what they have done to accomplish (ulaaika ashaabu al-jannata khaalideena feehaa jazza’an bimaa kaanuu ya`lamuuna).

[46:16] Those (when at the age of 40 have repented and have turned to their Lord) are the ones we accept from them best, and overlook from their evil deeds, are among the dwellers of the Paradise, is the true promise, which they have accomplished as promised (wa-natawajaazu.`an sayyiaatihim fee ashaabi al-jannati wa`da al-sid’qi alladhee kaanuu yuu`aduuna).

[47:6] And He will admit them to Paradise, has made it known to them (wa-yud’khiluhumu al jannata `arrafahaa lahum).

[47:15] An parable of the Paradise which has been promised for the righteous (mathlu al-jannata allatee wu`ida al-mu’ttaquuna), wherein there are rivers of unpolluted water, and rivers of milk not changing its taste, and rivers of wine delicious for the drinkers, and rivers of purified honey, and for them therein of all fruits, and forgiveness from their Lord, is like whoever he is abiding in the Fire, and they have been given to drink boiling water that it has torn up their intestines?

[50:31] And the Paradise has been brought near for the righteous, is not far (wa-uz’lifati al-jannatu lil’muttaqeena ghayra ba`eedin).

[59:20] You do not equal the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise; the dwellers of the Paradise – they are the successful ones (laa-yastawee ashaabu al-naari wa-ashaabu al-jannati ashaabu al-jannati humu al-faaizuuna).

[66:11] And God has set forth an example for those who believed was Pharaoh’s wife when she said, “My Lord, build a home for me at You in the Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and save me from the people of the wrongdoers (rabbi ib’ni lee `indaka baytan fee al-jannati wa-najjinee min fir’`awna wa-`amalihi wa-najjinee).”

[79:41] Then indeed, the Paradise – it is the Refuge (fa-inna al-jannata hiya al-mawaa).

[81:13] And when Paradise has been brought near (wa-idhaa al-jannatu uz’lifat).

Summary

  • Adam and his wife were allowed to live in Paradise with a warning of not to approach a tree.
  • When Adam and his wife disobeyed God’s commandment despite the clear warning, their shame became visible for them and they fastened them with the leaves of Paradise.
  • God has warned us that the Satan is our enemy, who has driven out our parents from Paradise.
  • Those who have believed and have done righteous deeds will enter paradise to abide in it forever.
  • It is their wishful thinking that no one will enter Paradise except the Jews and the Christians.
  • God has set an example of those when the adversity and the hardship touched them and have been shaken until the messenger and those who believed with him said: “When is God’s help?”
  • Either a believing bondman or a believing bondwoman is better than an idolatrous man or woman.
  • Whoever has been drawn away from the Fire and has been admitted to Paradise has succeeded.
  • Whoever does the righteous deeds of a male or a female being a believer will enter Paradise.
  • Those who say that God is the Messiah, son of Mary and associate partners with God, He has forbidden the Paradise for them.
  • An Arabic Quran has been revealed to Muhammad to warn a central community and whoever around it that a party will be in the Paradise and a party will be in Blazing Fire on a day of Resurrection.
  • Those who have denied with God’s revelations and have become arrogant will not enter Paradise.
  • God has purchased from the believers their lives and wealth with that for them there is the Paradise.
  • The righteous whom the angels take them in death say, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you have done to accomplish.”
  • Whoever has repented, and has believed, and has done as righteous, those will enter Paradise.
  • The dwellers of Paradise will have a better abode and a best resting place, which will be brought near to the righteous on the day of the Judgment.
  • The death of the righteous are peaceful when they have been told them, “Enter Paradise.”
  • Those who have feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in throngs and its guards will say to them, “Peace be upon you, you have done well and enter it for abiding forever.”
  • God has accepted from them best and has overlooked from their evil deeds, are among the dwellers of Paradise, those who when reach the age of 40 have repented and have turned to their Lord.
  • He has given a parable of abiding forever between the dwellers of Paradise and those in the Fire.
  • The dwellers of the Fire and that of Paradise are not equal, the dwellers of Paradise are the winners.
  • God cited an example of Pharaoh’s wife, who prayed to build a home for her with Him and save her from the wrongdoers.

In conclusion, the description of Paradise is allegorical, may seem to many being a logical conclusion but God Himself has confirmed it. Whatever we have learned from the instances of jannat meaning “garden” as general and specific description of Paradise, we have found consistency with the instances of al-jannat meaning “the Paradise” as proper name, is the eternal abode as reward for the righteous.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (5/29/2020).