"Therein they recline upon couches, seeing neither sun nor bitter cold. Its shade shall be close above them, and its clusters shall be made to hang low. And vessels of silver and goblets are brought round for them - silvern crystal that they have measured out with due measure. Therein they are given to drink of a cup mixed with ginger, a spring therein named Salabil. Immoral youths wait upon them; when you see them you would suppose them to be scattered pearls. And when thou seest, there thou wilt see bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them are garments of fine green silk and rich brocade. They are adorned with silvern bracelets and their Lord shall give them to drink of a drink most pure. Truly this is a reward for you, and your endeavoring is held in gratitude."
Quran 76:13-22
This passage, drawn, once again, from al-Insan, "Man," the 76th surah,contains some of the most vivid representations of heaven found in the entire Quran. Of course, what is being described is what paradise will be like for those who have, as we're constantly reminded, believe and performed righteous deeds. It's sometimes said that with each new incarnation of the Abrahamic faiths the vision of heaven and hell become more and more specific, and this particular passage would vouchsafe that proposal. Now, do I really think that paradise is like that? No, not really, not at all. I think it's a metaphor, while recognizing the danger of going down that path. It's a dangerous path, or at least a slippery slope (clearly I'm trying to mix as many metaphors here as I can), because if you passages in the Quran, or any holy text for that matter, as metaphors then you add a level of vaguery and human interpretation to any discussion of the divine, which is one of the reasons why the literal minded like literal interpretations. However,the ineffable is described as the ineffable for a reason, and thus you're reduced to using metaphors to describe the indescribable as best you can. Nasr makes the point in the Heart of Islam that the good is just closeness to God and evil is just distance from God, and I find that very understandable and compelling. Now, how does one begin to explain that level of joy or pain, and thus you come up with metaphors such as the one above.
Quran 76:13-22
This passage, drawn, once again, from al-Insan, "Man," the 76th surah,contains some of the most vivid representations of heaven found in the entire Quran. Of course, what is being described is what paradise will be like for those who have, as we're constantly reminded, believe and performed righteous deeds. It's sometimes said that with each new incarnation of the Abrahamic faiths the vision of heaven and hell become more and more specific, and this particular passage would vouchsafe that proposal. Now, do I really think that paradise is like that? No, not really, not at all. I think it's a metaphor, while recognizing the danger of going down that path. It's a dangerous path, or at least a slippery slope (clearly I'm trying to mix as many metaphors here as I can), because if you passages in the Quran, or any holy text for that matter, as metaphors then you add a level of vaguery and human interpretation to any discussion of the divine, which is one of the reasons why the literal minded like literal interpretations. However,the ineffable is described as the ineffable for a reason, and thus you're reduced to using metaphors to describe the indescribable as best you can. Nasr makes the point in the Heart of Islam that the good is just closeness to God and evil is just distance from God, and I find that very understandable and compelling. Now, how does one begin to explain that level of joy or pain, and thus you come up with metaphors such as the one above.
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