I have a friend and through me he accepted Islam. He asked me if the one who does not marry his beloved in life can marry her in Paradise. He also asked me if a man in Paradise will be entitled to marry four wives, as in this life, or more.I told him that after death, one's body perishes and only the soul remains. The good souls will enjoy all the delights of Paradise including the Hooris (Maidens), whereas, the evil souls will be tormented in Hell. Is this correct?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Congratulations, dear brother, for being granted success in guiding someone to Islam. This is really a great thing. Moreover, we remind you that the Prophet said that if the believer succeeds in causing one person to accept Islam, it will be better for him than acquiring the most precious and enormous fortunes. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Back to your subject; once a person is admitted into Paradise, all his wishes and desires will be fulfilled for Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.} [Quran 43:71]

Moreover, the Prophet said that Allaah The Almighty has prepared for His righteous slaves in Paradise delights, which they have never seen, never heard of and never imagined. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This is supported by the verse (what means): {And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32:17]

It is possible that in Paradise, one may marry the woman he loved in life, provided that she does not have a husband who would enter Paradise with her. Also, a man may marry more than four wives in Paradise because the Prophet said that a martyr will enjoy six privileges; one of them is that He will marry seventy Hooris. [At-Tirmithi] Al-Mubaarakfoori said that this is the least that will be given to him and he may still enjoy more delights out of the favor of Allaah The Almighty.

As with regards to your saying that only the soul will either enjoy the delights of Paradise or suffer the torment of Hell and the body will perish, this contradicts the meaning of authentic Hadeeths that stress the fact that both the soul and the body will experience either delight or torment. The Prophet said that after one is laid in his grave and his companions leave (those who buried him), he will hear the sound of their shoes as they leave. Then, two angels will come to him and make him sit up and ask him about the Prophet . If he is a disbeliever or a hypocrite, he will not be able to answer. Therefore, they will strike him with an iron hammer between his ears and he will let out an agonizing cry. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

There are a number of things in the abovementioned Hadeeth indicating that torment is experienced by both the soul and the body; the fact that the deceased hears the sound of his companions’ shoes when leaving; that the angels make him sit up, and that they will strike him with an iron hammer between his ears and that he will let out an agonizing cry. All of these things will occur in the grave. However, in the Hereafter, one's life will be perfect.

In Paradise, one will enjoy delights spiritually and physically and all the dwellers of Paradise will be thirty three years old and everything will be just perfect for them.

However, it is important to note that one must focus on serious and beneficial issues, especially in the Hereafter. This includes seeking religious knowledge and abstaining from pursuing worldly pleasures and lustful desires.

Finally, we would like to thank you for your concern as you try to help your friend adhere to the right path and you will be rewarded for your efforts, Allaah willing.

Allaah Knows best.