Do Muslims Believe in Heaven?

Muslims believe in Paradise and in the Fire. The Qur’an describes Paradise as gardens under which rivers flow, with purified spouses, and it promises that garden to believing men and believing women. Christians believe the risen Jesus prepares a place with the Father. They do not confess the Qur’an’s garden as that hope.

Key Points

• Qur’an 2:25Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalAnd give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before." And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (Saheeh International) gives good tidings of gardens beneath which rivers flow, purified spouses, and an eternal stay. Qur’an 47:15Qur’an 47:15 · Saheeh InternationalIs the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord... [Are its inhabitants] like those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?Qur’an 47:15 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source names rivers of water, milk, wine, and purified honey, and fruit, set against the Fire.
• Qur’an 9:72Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalAllāh has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allāh is greater. It is that which is the great attainment.Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source promises gardens to believing men and believing women, and says approval from God is greater. Qur’an 4:124Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalAnd whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, while a believer, will enter Paradise.
• Qur’an 44:54Qur’an 44:54 · Saheeh InternationalThus. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes.Qur’an 44:54 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source and Qur’an 56:35–36Qur’an 56:35-36 · Saheeh InternationalIndeed, We have produced them [i.e., the women of Paradise] in a [new] creation And made them virgins,Qur’an 56:35-36 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source speak of fair women with large eyes, produced in a new creation and made virgins. They do not say seventy-two.
• Sunan Ibn Majah 4337Sunan Ibn Majah 4337 · sunnah.com EnglishIt was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no one whom Allah will admit to Paradise but Allah will marry him to seventy-two wives, two from houris and seventy from his inheritance from the people of HellSunan Ibn Majah 4337 · sunnah.com EnglishOpen source and Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562 · sunnah.com EnglishAbu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "The least of the people of Paradise in position is the one with eighty thousand servants and seventy-two wives. He shall have a tent of pearl, peridot, and corundum set up for him,(the size of which is) like that which is between Al-Jabiyyah and Sana'a."And with this chain, it is narrated from the Prophet (s.a.w) that he said: "Whoever of the people of (destined to enter) Paradise dies, young or old, they shall be brought back in Paradise thirty years old, they will not increase in that ever, and likewise the people of the Fire." And with this chain, it is narrated from the Prophet (s.a.w) that he said: "There are upon them crowns, the least of its pearls would illuminate what is between the East and the West."Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562 · sunnah.com EnglishOpen source do say seventy-two wives. Both are graded Da’if (Darussalam) on sunnah.com, weak. Which Muslims Accept Which Hadith?
• Qur’an 23:99–100Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh International[For such is the state of the disbelievers] until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says that at death a person asks to be sent back, and that behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected. The verses do not set a forty-day schedule. Qur’an 2:285Qur’an 2:285 · Saheeh InternationalThe Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."Qur’an 2:285 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source includes belief in the angels.
• John 14:2–3John 14:2–3 · King James Version^14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ^14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.John 14:2–3 · King James VersionOpen source has Jesus speak of his Father’s house and of coming again so that his people are where he is. Revelation 21:3Revelation 21:3 · King James VersionAnd I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.Revelation 21:3 · King James VersionOpen source says God will dwell with them.

Gardens and Rivers

Qur’an 2:25Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalAnd give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before." And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (Saheeh International) says:

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before.” And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.

Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh International

Qur’an · accepted by Muslims

Qur’an 3:15Qur’an 3:15 · Saheeh InternationalSay, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allāh will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allāh. And Allāh is Seeing [i.e., aware] of [His] servants -Qur’an 3:15 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says the same gardens, purified spouses, and approval from Allah. Qur’an 47:15Qur’an 47:15 · Saheeh InternationalIs the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord... [Are its inhabitants] like those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?Qur’an 47:15 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source asks whether the Paradise of rivers of water, milk, wine, and purified honey, with every kind of fruit and forgiveness, is like those who abide in the Fire and drink scalding water. The Muslim afterlife is both. The garden is not the only destination the book names.

Qur’an 75:22–23Qur’an 75:22-23 · Saheeh International[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, Looking at their Lord.Qur’an 75:22-23 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says faces that Day will be radiant, looking at their Lord. Sahih Muslim 181aSahih Muslim 181a · Abdul Hamid SiddiquiSuhaib reported the Apostle (ﷺ) saying: When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Hast Thou not brightened our faces? Hast Thou not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (God) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would he dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious.Sahih Muslim 181a · Abdul Hamid SiddiquiOpen source says that when the veil is lifted, nothing given to the people of Paradise would be dearer than the sight of their Lord. What Does Allah Look Like?

Fair Women and the Number Seventy-Two

Qur’an 44:54Qur’an 44:54 · Saheeh InternationalThus. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes.Qur’an 44:54 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says God will marry them to fair women with large, beautiful eyes. Qur’an 56:22–23Qur’an 56:22-23 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes, The likenesses of pearls well-protected,Qur’an 56:22-23 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says fair women with large eyes, the likenesses of pearls.

Qur’an 56:35–36Qur’an 56:35-36 · Saheeh InternationalIndeed, We have produced them [i.e., the women of Paradise] in a [new] creation And made them virgins,Qur’an 56:35-36 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (Saheeh International) says:

Indeed, We have produced them [i.e., the women of Paradise] in a [new] creation And made them virgins,

Qur’an 56:35–36 · Saheeh International

Qur’an · accepted by Muslims

The verses do not give the number seventy-two.

Sunan Ibn Majah 4337Sunan Ibn Majah 4337 · sunnah.com EnglishIt was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no one whom Allah will admit to Paradise but Allah will marry him to seventy-two wives, two from houris and seventy from his inheritance from the people of HellSunan Ibn Majah 4337 · sunnah.com EnglishOpen source, graded Da’if (Darussalam), says there is no one whom Allah will admit to Paradise but Allah will marry him to seventy-two wives, two from the houris and seventy from his inheritance from the people of Hell. The report continues in language this page does not repeat. Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562 · sunnah.com EnglishAbu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "The least of the people of Paradise in position is the one with eighty thousand servants and seventy-two wives. He shall have a tent of pearl, peridot, and corundum set up for him,(the size of which is) like that which is between Al-Jabiyyah and Sana'a."And with this chain, it is narrated from the Prophet (s.a.w) that he said: "Whoever of the people of (destined to enter) Paradise dies, young or old, they shall be brought back in Paradise thirty years old, they will not increase in that ever, and likewise the people of the Fire." And with this chain, it is narrated from the Prophet (s.a.w) that he said: "There are upon them crowns, the least of its pearls would illuminate what is between the East and the West."Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2562 · sunnah.com EnglishOpen source, also graded Da’if (Darussalam), says the least of the people of Paradise has eighty thousand servants and seventy-two wives, and a tent of pearl. A weak grade is the collectors’ own label on those two pages. The Qur’an lines above stand without the number. What Does the Qur’an Say About Slavery? is the separate page on “those your right hands possess,” which is not this garden verse.

Believing Women

Qur’an 9:72Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalAllāh has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allāh is greater. It is that which is the great attainment.Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says God has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, pleasant dwellings, and that approval from God is greater. Qur’an 4:124Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalAnd whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while a believer, will enter Paradise and will not be wronged. Qur’an 3:195Qur’an 3:195 · Saheeh InternationalAnd their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allāh, and Allāh has with Him the best reward."Qur’an 3:195 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says God will not allow the work of any worker to be lost, whether male or female.

The garden in 2:25 includes purified spouses. The promise of entry in 4:124 and 9:72 names believing women. What Does Islam Say About Women?

After Death

Qur’an 23:99–100Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh International[For such is the state of the disbelievers] until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says that when death comes, the person says, “My Lord, send me back,” so that he might do righteousness in what he left behind. The answer is no. Behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected. Qur’an 39:68Qur’an 39:68 · Saheeh InternationalAnd the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.Qur’an 39:68 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says the Horn will be blown, whoever is in the heavens and on the earth will fall dead except whom God wills, and it will be blown again and they will be standing.

Those verses do not say “forty days before death” or “seven days after death.” A schedule with those numbers is not in the lines quoted here.

Qur’an 2:285Qur’an 2:285 · Saheeh InternationalThe Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."Qur’an 2:285 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says the messenger and the believers have believed in God, his angels, his books, and his messengers. Angels are part of that confession. What Do Muslims Believe?

The Biggest Sins

Qur’an 4:48Qur’an 4:48 · Saheeh InternationalIndeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.Qur’an 4:48 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source says God does not forgive association with him, and he forgives what is less than that for whom he wills. Qur’an 31:13Qur’an 31:13 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [mention, O Muḥammad], when Luqmān said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allāh. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice."Qur’an 31:13 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source calls association a great injustice.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4761Sahih al-Bukhari 4761 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanNarrated `Abdullah: I or somebody, asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) "Which is the biggest sin in the Sight of Allah?" He said, "That you set up a rival (in worship) to Allah though He Alone created you." I asked, "What is next?" He said, "Then, that you kill your son, being afraid that he may share your meals with you." I asked, "What is next?" He said, "That you commit illegal sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor." Then the following Verse was revealed to confirm the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): "Those who invoke not with Allah, any other god, nor kill life as Allah has forbidden except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse." (25.68)Sahih al-Bukhari 4761 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen source (Muhammad Muhsin Khan) answers which sin is biggest in the sight of God:

That you set up a rival (in worship) to Allah though He Alone created you.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4761 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sunni hadith

The same hadith says the next is to kill your son, being afraid he may share your meals, and the next is illegal sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor. It then cites the verse about not invoking another god, not killing a life except for just cause, and not committing illegal sexual intercourse. A Shia reader may not take Bukhari. Qur’an 4:48Qur’an 4:48 · Saheeh InternationalIndeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.Qur’an 4:48 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source is still the Qur’an’s line on association. Who Is Allah?

The Christian Claim

Muslims hope for the gardens, the rivers, the spouses, and the sight of their Lord, on the terms of faith and deeds in these verses. Christians hope for a different sentence. John 14:2–3John 14:2–3 · King James Version^14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ^14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.John 14:2–3 · King James VersionOpen source has Jesus say that in his Father’s house are many mansions, that he goes to prepare a place, and that he will come again and receive his people to himself, so that where he is, they may be also. John 14:6John 14:6 · King James VersionJesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6 · King James VersionOpen source says he is the way, the truth, and the life. Revelation 21:3Revelation 21:3 · King James VersionAnd I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.Revelation 21:3 · King James VersionOpen source says the dwelling of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. That hope is the presence of the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, through the crucified and risen Son. It is not the Qur’an’s garden of spouses. The Resurrection of Jesus Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Muslims Believe Is in Heaven?

Gardens, rivers of water, milk, wine, and honey, fruit, purified spouses, and, in 75:22–23, faces looking at their Lord. The Fire is the other destination in 47:15.

What Is the Third Biggest Sin in Islam?

Bukhari 4761 lists a rival to God, then killing a son for fear he will share the food, then adultery with a neighbor’s wife. Qur’an 4:48 says association is the sin God does not forgive, except as he wills for what is less.

Do Muslims Believe in the Same God as Christians?

Muslims confess one God who has no Son. Christians confess the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus is God. Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? The Trinity

Do Women Go to Paradise?

Qur’an 4:124Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalAnd whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.Qur’an 4:124 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source and Qur’an 9:72Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalAllāh has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allāh is greater. It is that which is the great attainment.Qur’an 9:72 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source name believing women. Qur’an 2:25Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalAnd give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before." And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally.Qur’an 2:25 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source also speaks of purified spouses in the garden.

What Happens Forty Days Before Death in Islam?

Qur’an 23:99–100Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh International[For such is the state of the disbelievers] until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.Qur’an 23:99-100 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source speaks of a barrier until the resurrection. It does not number forty days. This page does not add a schedule the verses do not state.

Which State Has the Most Muslims, and Can Muslims Eat Bananas?

The Qur’an and the hadith on this page do not name a U.S. state, a political party, or a rule about bananas. The hope they do name is the garden and the Fire.

Keep Reading

• What Do Muslims Believe?
• Who Is Allah?
• What Does Allah Look Like?
• What Does Islam Say About Women?
• The Resurrection of Jesus