The Superiority of the Delights of Paradise over the Pleasures of this World
The pleasures of this world are tangible and present, “here and now,” whilst the delights of Paradise are as yet unseen promises. People are readily influenced by what they can see and know instantly. It is hard enough for them to forgo something that is in front of them for the sake of something else that is in the future, so how much harder it is if the promise will not be attained until after death! So, Allah, the Glorified, drew a comparison between the pleasures of this world and the joys of Paradise, and explained that the delights of Paradise are far superior to this world’s pleasures. The Quran speaks at length denouncing this world and extolling the virtues of the Hereafter, to encourage man to strive hard for success in the next world.
Many passages in the Quran dismiss this world of instant, fleeting pleasures and state that the rewards of Allah Almighty are far better.
For example, Allah Says (what means):
• {But those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allah. And that which is with Allah is best for the righteous.} [Quran 3: 198]
• {And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.} [Quran 20: 131]
• {Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire-of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return [i.e. Paradise]. Say, 'Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah. And Allah is Seeing [i.e. aware] of [His] servants. } [Quran 3: 14-15]
• {... Say, “The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah... } [Quran 4: 77]
There are many reasons why the delights of Paradise are superior to the pleasures of this world.
In the following Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention), illustrated the inferiority and fleeting nature of the pleasures of this world in comparison with the delights of Paradise:
“By Allah, this world in comparison with the Hereafter is nothing more than as if one of you put his finger” - and he gestured with his forefinger - “in the sea: let him see how much water he would retrieve.” [Muslim]
A finger dipped in the ocean would not even pick up one drop; this is how little this world is worth when compared with the Hereafter.
Because the pleasures of this world are so insignificant, Allah, the Most Exalted, rebuked those who prefer the pleasures of this world to the joys of the Hereafter, as in the following verse; Allah Says (what means):
{O you who have believed, what is the matter with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little.} [Quran 9: 38]
The pleasures of this world are fleeting:
We have already quoted texts that indicate the inexhaustible abundance of the blessings and joys of the Hereafter.
The Hereafter is much better from the point of view of quality:
The clothing, food, drink, jewellery and palaces of the people of Paradise will be far superior to their counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as even the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it. The Messenger of Allah said: “The space of a whip in Paradise is better than this world and everything that is in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Also, Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: “The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The comparison between the women of Paradise and the women of this earth serves to demonstrate the superiority of that which is in Paradise. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, quoted the Messenger of Allah saying: “If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look at this earth, she would light up everything in between and fill it with her fragrance; the veil on her head is better than this world and all that is in it.” [Al-Bukhari]
Paradise is free from all the impurities and disappointments of this world:
Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion and its associated unpleasant odours. If a person drinks wine in this world, he loses his mind. Women in this world menstruate and give birth, which are sources of pain and hurt. Paradise is free from all of these discomforts: its people will not urinate, defecate, spit or suffer from catarrh. The wine of Paradise is as described by its Creator in the verse (which means):
{Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink [thereof], free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.} [Quran 37: 4647]
The water of Paradise does not become brackish, and its milk never changes in flavor, as stated in the verse (which means): {…Rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes...} [Quran 47: 15]
The women of Paradise are pure and free from menstruation, postnatal bleeding, and all the other impurities suffered by women in this world, as Allah Almighty Says (what means):
{… And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.} [Quran 2: 25]
The hearts of the people of Paradise will be pure, their speech will be good, and their deeds will be righteous. There will be no hurtful, upsetting, offensive or provocative talk there, for Paradise is free from all worthless words and deeds. The only speech that is heard there is good, sincere and pure, free from all the shameful shortcomings of earthly speech; Allah Says (what means): {... no ill speech or commission of sin.} [Quran 52: 23] Allah Says (what means): {... They will not hear therein any ill speech — only [greetings of] peace...} [Quran 19. 62]
To be continued…