XIV.—HEAVEN.
The Muhammadan Paradise is called Jannat (garden) in Arabic, and Bahisht in Persian; the word Firdaus, from which we get our English word Paradise, being restricted to one region in the celestial abodes of bliss.
There are eight different terms employed in the Qurán for heaven, and although they would appear to be but different names for the same region, Muhammadan divines understand them to mean different stages of glory.
They are as follows[1]:—
1. Jannat-ul-Khuld (Sura xxv. 16), "The garden of eternity."
2. Dár-us-Salám (Sura vi. 127), "The dwelling of peace."
3. Dár-ul-Qarár (Sura xl. 42), "The dwelling which abideth."
4. Jannat-i-ʾAdan (Sura ix. 72), "The garden of Eden."
5. Jannat-ul-Mawá (Sura xxxi. 19), "The garden of refuge.
6. Jannat-un-Nʾaím (Sura vi. 70), "The garden of delight."
7. Jannat-i-ʾIlliyún (Sura lxxxiii. 18), "The garden of ʾIlliyun."
8. Jannat-ul-Firdaus (Sura xviii. 107), "The garden of Paradise."
These eight stages of Paradise are spoken of as "eight doors" in the Traditions (Mishkát, bk. ii. chap. 1.).
The sensual delights of Muhammad's Paradise are proverbial, and they must have exercised considerable influence upon the minds of the people to whom he made known his mission. The allusions in the Qurán are far too numerous to admit of quotation, but they will be found more particularly in Suras lxxvi., lv., lvi., xlvii.
The descriptions of the celestial regions and the enjoyments promised to "the faithful" are still more minutely given in the traditional sayings of the Prophet (Mishkát, bk. xxiii. chap. xiii.).
Apologists for Islám, Carlyle for example, have suggested that the sensual delights of Muhammad's Paradise may after all be taken figuratively, even as the Song of Solomon and the Revelation of St. John. It is quite true that such is the interpretation hinted at in the Akhláq-i-Jaláli; and Mr. Lane in his "Modern Egyptians" says he met a Muslim of learning who considered them figurative; but such is not the view of any Muhammadan commentator. All Mushm theologians have given a literal interpretation of the sensual delights, and it is impossible for any candid mind to read the Qurán and Traditions and arrive to any other conclusion on the subject.
Islám, true to its anti-Christian character, preaches a sensual abode of bliss in opposition to the express teaching of our blessed Lord, who said, "They neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of heaven (St. Matt. xxii. 30).
It is remarkable that with the exception of one passage (Sura i. 25), Muhammad's descriptions of the sensual paradise belong to the later period of his mission, and after he had become a polygamist.
In addition to the seven divisions of celestial bliss, there are said to be seven firmaments (asmán).
1. Of pure virgin silver, which is Adam's residence.
2. Of pure gold, which is Enoch's and John Baptist's.
3. Of pearls, which is Joseph's.
4. Of white gold, which is Jesus'.
5. Of silver, which is Aaron's.
6. Of ruby and garnet, which is Moses'.
7. Of crystal, which is Abraham's.
Muhammadans undoubtedly get their tradition of seven heavens from the Talmud; but the Jewish tradition with reference to the seven heavens was a more sensible arrangement than that of the Muhammadans.
The seven heavens of the Jews are as follow[2]:—
1. The vellum, or curtain.
2. The expanse, or firmament.
3. The clouds of ether.
4. The habitation, where the temple of Jerusalem and the altar are situated, and where Michael the great prince offers sacrifice.
5. The dwelling place, where troops of angels sing.
6. The fixed residence, where are the treasures of snow and hail.
7. Araboth, or special place of glory.