Caskets of Pearls Vol. 1 - Casket of Pearls 40

Casket of Pearls 40

Tags: Houris, Pari, Faqih, Satans, Greatest Signs, Shadow, Divine Shadow

Q381 People have some questions in their hearts, which they do not ask because of bashfulness. They are questions regarding the houris of paradise, despite the fact that there is the explanation of everything and answers to every question in the exoteric and esoteric aspects of the Qur'an and the hadith. We are therefore asking some such representative questions: Are there pari women in paradise? Are they called houris of paradise? Has God created them in paradise itself? It is a universally accepted fact that God has granted them everlasting elegance and beauty, but the question is why are they not commended with regards to knowledge?
A381

Yes, there are pari women in paradise.
Yes, they are called the houris of paradise.
God, through His infinite mercy grants a subtle body to the women of this world and makes them the houris of paradise.
The great Qur'an does commend the knowledge of houris according to their ranks. However, it should be remembered that there are many more words and examples [to express] the meanings of knowledge.
One example is verse (2:25): "And for them there are purified wives". Note that purity is always of three kinds: physical, spiritual and intellectual. Thus, it is evident that the houris of paradise are purified physically, spiritually and intellectually. There is certainly an allusion in this [verse] to knowledge as well, because no intellect of this world can be purified without knowledge and wisdom.

Q382 Please elaborate by more Qur'anic proofs that there is also the beauty of knowledge and intellect in the pari women of paradise.
A382

The most fundamental point is that no fruit of paradise is without the kernel of knowledge and wisdom. In other words, the countless bounties of paradise are of three kinds: physical (subtle), spiritual and intellectual.
Let us study carefully the Surah of al-Waqi`ah [the Event, 56], which describes the bounties of paradise.
In this Surah the houris of the foremost ones (sabiqin) or the nearest ones (muqarrabin) are described, but on reflection one comes to the conclusion that they are the houris of intellect, knowledge and recognition.
For, they become your inner eye through which you can see God's manifestations and the great secrets of the hidden Book.

Q383 By the way you have explained the recognition of the intellectual houris in the above explanation of the Surah of al-Waqi`ah, we have understood that this is a miracle of knowledge of the Imam from the progeny of the holy Prophet. Therefore, please explain the attributes of the houris of ashabu'l-yamin (those on the right hand) in the illumination of his light.
A383

First of all, it is necessary to accept that the world of the hereafter or paradise is a subtle world, whereas this world is dense. Thus, the people of paradise were subtle, but when they were told to go down and came here (2:38), they became dense.
However, when by the universal mercy of God, they will go to paradise, they will be subtle again. In such a state, because of subtlety and luminosity, all women will be called houris.
This wisdom-filled description is in the light of verses (56:35-36) and these are the houris of ashabu'l-yamin.

Q384 We recognise the miracle of knowledge of the Imam from the progeny of the holy Prophet and are profoundly grateful to him. However, we still have some important questions regarding this treasure of secrets. What is the correct translation and wisdom of verse (43:70): "Udkhulu'l-jannata antum wa azwajukum tuhbaruna"?
A384

"Enter the paradise, you and your wives, to be adorned". That is, you will be granted the luminous body in which lie the wonders and marvels of elegance and beauty.
It is evident from this that the wives of mu'mins also become houris.

Q385 If a dweller of paradise wishes to have children, is this possible?
A385 Yes, it is possible to have children in paradise, as mentioned in a hadith: "If a mu'min desires to have children in paradise, pregnancy, childbirth and age will be in an instant as he wishes".⁹²

Q386 What is the secret in the hadith: "One faqih (learned man) against satan is stronger than a thousand worshippers"⁹³?
A386 In this hadith there is the secret of recognition, because the real faqih is the one who recognises himself and God. Only such a person can defeat the satan from among jinn and humankind, as satan himself had said in the beginning that he cannot beguile the sincere servants of God (38:82-83). A sincere (mukhlis) servant is one who can purify tawhid (oneness) of God from the pollution of polytheism. Only an `arif can achieve such a feat and subdue satan.

Q387 It is mentioned in verse (6:112): "Thus, We have made for every Prophet an enemy, satans of humankind and jinn who inspire in one another plausible discourse to deceive." Are there satans from among human beings? What is the means of the mutual communication between satans from among human beings and jinns?
A387

Yes, there are human satans and they are very dangerous.
As you know, a jinn as well as an angel are appointed within every individual. There is a great trial for humankind in these two companions. It is through this jinn that communication is established between the human satan and the jinni satan, and it is also through this angel that communication is possible between an earthly angel and a celestial one.

Q388 The following verse (27:93) is at the end of Suratu'n-Naml (the Ant), therefore it has great significance: "And say: Praise be to Allah Who will show His signs (ayat) so that you will recognise them." It is obvious that such ayat or signs are extraordinarily important. Are these signs in the external world and within their souls? Are the great secrets of the sacred Sanctuary within these signs and miracles as well? Is not God's vision a very great sign or miracle?
A388

Yes, these are the extraordinary signs or miracles of the external world and their souls (41:53).
There is no doubt that the greatest signs and miracles are in the sacred Sanctuary.
The holy vision of God is the greatest sign and the greatest miracle, and recognition is related to it.

Q389 It is mentioned in verse (53:18): "Indeed he saw the greatest signs of his Lord." What are these signs (ayat) and what is this verse about?
A389

These ayat or signs are the vision of God and other related miracles in the sacred Sanctuary.
This verse is about the story of mi`raj.

Q390 This question is related to a significant verse (16:81). What are the shadows of the creature by creating which Allah has favoured mu'mins? Where are they? What does the Divine shadow (25:45) mean? What does the extended shadow mean (56:30)?
A390

The higher world is the luminous creature of God and all its things are also luminous. Thus, the Word "Be" is light, the Pen is light, the Tablet is light, the Throne is light, the Dais (kursi) is light, etc., etc. Their shadows mean their mazahir [loci of manifestation], which are both in the world of religion and in the personal world. These shadows are luminous and brilliant like the reflection of the sun.
The Divine shadow is the Imam of the time who is the mazhar of the light of God on earth.
The extended shadow means those subtle bounties of paradise, which are extended from the spiritual world to the physical world.

⁹² Abu `Isa Muhammad Tirmidhi, Jami`u't- Tirmidhi, ed. Salih Al al-Shaykh (Riyaz, 1999), p. 583, Hadith 2563.
⁹³ Ibid., p. 608, Hadith 2681.

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