Saturday 12 March 2011

Water, wine, milk and honey!

Salam..
My title above specifically refers to the Anhaarul Jannah and not exactly discussion on the properties of the liquids...hehehe.
Today I read a very interesting section of the description of Paradise written by As-Salafi and here are the findings:

Allah has described the drinks in Paradise in a way that indicate their abundance and continuous flow, as such they are called 'rivers'.
There are many verses that mentioned the rivers of Paradise but none explain them, except one verse below:
Muhammad 47:15
The desciption of Paradise which the pious have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell forever in the Fire and be given to drink boiling water so that it cuts up their bowels?

In one hadith recorded by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi on the authority of Haakim bin Mu'awiyah from his father who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, say:
There are in Paradise, a river of water, a river of honey, a river of milk and a river of wine. And other rivers will then originate from them.

Allah has therefore mention the kinds of rivers as follow:

One : The rivers of water whose smell and taste do not change (Anhaarun min maa')
No matter how long it may be, the taste and smell will never change, as they are sweet and clear, and they neither turn muddy nor smelly.

Two: The rivers of milk never change in taste (Anhaarun min laban)
The rivers of milk will also not change in its primary state without any change in taste; as opposed to the milk in this world derived from udders. The milk in jannah will never go sour or tasteless, and forever be exceptionally delicious, white and nice!

Three: The rivers of wine (Anhaarun min khamr)
The dwellers of Paradise will enjoy drinking it, it is never soiled by human hands or legs, such as the wine in this world! It looks good, tastes great and smells nice, does not intoxicate nor does it have offensive smell. It is flawless and an absolutely pure enjoyment ( as-Saffat 37:46, 47 and al-Waqi'ah 56:19)

Four: The rivers of purified honey (Anhaarun min 'asal)
The honey is free of all particles and all other defects and it is not a product of honeybee that has wax and residues where the honey needs to be purified, rather it is created from the beginning, flowing like water, unblemished, extremely pure, beautiful color, excellent taste and pleasant smell.

The four rivers make us realize that Allah has cited the types of drinks known and usually enjoyed in this world as examples for the drinks of Paradise. However, nothing of the imperfections and peculiarity of the drinks in this world are found in the drinks of Paradise. The water in this world is that it changes after a long time, milk would go sour, wine would bring evil and calamities upon the drinkers and honey has many particles and residues.

Question arise, why the rivers of Paradise are of these four different kinds?
They are the most precious things one can atttain at their disposal! In this world having these drinks are seen as wealth and influential. If water is for drinking and cleaning, milk is for food and nourishment, wine as imaginary enjoyment and honey as cure and other benefits, the only reason for the difference in the kinds of drinks in Paradise is increase in delight and pure enjoyment. The people of Paradise do not take these drinks for survival or for healing or for any benefits. Their life is eternal in which there is neither disease nor fatigue or hunger or thirst. In short, life is of endless bliss and delight in the Jannah!

The verse 47:15 is such a noble verse that it gives is a great physical illustration on the Day of Resurrection. The righteous will enjoy the rivers and everything in the jannah whereas the unrighteous will be in hell-fire drinking hot water that will break their bowels and this is a stark contrast between the enjoyment and punishment of the dwellers of paradise and hell..

As-Salafi ended this section with a du'a: May Allah protect us from the unbearable torments of fire..He indeed is the All-Hearer, Answerer to supplications and He has power over all things.

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