The Hoor in Paradise and Their Attributes in the Quran and Ahadith in Response to Inquiries Following the Newly Released Movie 72 Hoorain
By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age
Islam
22 June 2023
The Hoor in Paradise: A Reward
for Righteous Muslim Believers, Not for Terrorists and Islamophobes
Main Points
1.
What
is inside the Movie 72 Hoorain?
2.
The
Hoor and Their Attributes in the Holy Quran and Ahadith
3.
The
Hoor of Paradise Will Be Wives, Not Concubines
4.
Does
the number of Hoor, such as 72 Hoor, appear in the Quran and Reliable Ahadiths?
5.
Can
individuals who make a living by abusing, staring and exposing women's bodies
comprehend the magnificence and purity of the Hoor?
-------
Muslims view the recently released movie '72
Hoorain' as a prime example of anti-Muslim propaganda because it has
deeply enraged and depressed the Muslim community. The movie, on the other
hand, allegedly shows how Muslim youth are deceived and forced into committing
extremism in the name of 72 Hoor, according to some accounts that have
been read. Numerous questions are raised about Islam's view of Hoor in
such a situation. What has been said about the Hoor in the Qur'an? What
traits do the Ahadith attribute to Hoor? The Qur'an and Hadith both
promise a Hoor in heaven, but whose? The second concern is whether the
concept of 72 Hoorain is supported by the Quran. If there is nothing
regarding 72 Hoorain in the Qur'an or reliable Ahadith, where did this
idea come from? Are the weak Hadiths promising the 72 Hoorain for
martyrs in paradise? This essay includes all the responses to the inquiries
above, as well as some details regarding the Hoor in light of the Quran
and Ahadith.
Extremist organisations like ISIS and
al-Qaeda have massacred common civilians, many of whom were Muslims, as well as
a small number of non-Muslims, demonstrating that these organisations are not
Muslims and that their actions are not in line with Islam. They are among those
who harm Islam and Muslims while posing as Muslims. Muslims all around the
world have been publicly and repeatedly stating that Islam has nothing to do
with extremism and terrorism. Nevertheless, there are still certain people in
our country who continue to spew hate speech against Islam and Muslims. The
level of hatred and discrimination has gotten so high that on occasion someone
is lynched, forced to chant "Jaishree Ram", persecuted for being weak
and downtrodden, has their home destroyed, and is attacked. Sometimes
individuals are accused, imprisoned, and then released after proving their
innocence for years.
Before we go into our main topic, it's
crucial to comprehend the following beliefs that characterise a Muslim
believer. It is fundamentally compulsory
for a Muslim to have faith in Allah, all of His prophets, messengers, and
angels (Malaikah), all of His written works, including the Holy Qur'an,
the coming of Doomsday and resurrection, the existence of Hell and Jannat
(Paradise) and its blessings, including the Hoor. It is also required of
Muslims to carry out all good deeds with sincerity, to confess and express
regret when they commit sins, to fear Allah, to hope for the mercy of Allah, to
be humble, to express gratitude (Shukr) for favours received, to keep promises
made, to have patience (Sabr), to feel inferior to others, to be kind to all
creations, and to be content with whatever predetermined commands Allah issues.
Moreover, Muslims are obliged to abstain from things like polytheism (Shirk)
and disbelief (Kufr), adultery, deceit, lying, corruption, terrorism, and other
acts of violence.
The main subject of this essay is Hoor
who are beautiful creatures that Allah made for His righteous believers and who
would be wedded to them in Paradise as a reward for their good faith and
righteous deeds rather than for violence and terrorism.
But following the recent release of 72 Hoorain,
misunderstandings, queries, and concerns are in the spotlight. According to
some, this film is crudely intended to insult Muslims and Islam and is
Islamophobic. If this movie were true on reality, it would have taught viewers
that engaging in acts of terrorism against civilians in the name of 72 Hoor
is incompatible with Islamic principles. However, in recent days, news reports
about a number of films have led us to believe that some movie producers are
using these films to foment misunderstanding and hatred of Muslims and Islam
among viewers. Let's get to the essay's major theme, shall we?
…
The Hoor and Their Attributes in
the Holy Quran
Hoori, a
Houri, also spelt Huri, Arabic Hawra, plural Hoor, in Islamic religious
belief, is a beautiful woman with gorgeous eyes who is described as a reward
for the faithful Muslim believers in Paradise. There are numerous references to
the Hoori in the Quran describing them as “purified wives” and “spotless
virgins.”
The Quran does not mention the singular
form, but the plural form (Hoor) does appear four times (The Holy Quran,
verses 44:54, 52:20, 55:72, and 56:22), three of which are stated in connection
with the adjective 'Iin', which means wide-eyed with a deep black pupil.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
“Indeed the
pious [Muslims] are in a place of peace, In Gardens and water-springs. They
will be dressed in fine silk and embroidery, facing one another (on thrones).
And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes. [bi-hoori-n ʿīnin]” (The
Quran, 44:51-54)
“They will be
reclining on thrones lined up, and We will marry them to fair women with large,
[beautiful] eyes. [Bi-Hūri-N ʿĪnin]” (The
Quran, 52:20)
“So [O men and
Jinns] Which favour of your Lord will you deny? - They are Hooris (as wives for
the pious Muslims), hidden from view, in pavilions - So [O men and Jinns] which
of the favours of your Lord would you deny? - Untouched before them by man or
jinni - So [O men and Jinns] which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” (The Quran, 55:71-75)
“… And gorgeous
eyed fair Hooris [Hoor-Un- ʿĪnun], like pearls safely hidden, the
reward (as wives for the pious Muslims) for what they did.” (The Quran, 56:22-24)
Some commentators translate Hoor as
wide-eyed maidens or virgins because Hoor literally means someone with
eyes whose whites are extremely white and whose pupils are extremely black.
(Tafsir-e-Qurtubi/Tafsir-e-Kabeer/Tafsir-e-Alusi)
Others state that it represents "the
appearance of little white in the eye around the black," which is thought
to be the pinnacle of eye beauty. (Mufradat alfaz al-Quran)
Hoor also
connotes purity; hence Hasan al-Basri is reported to have declared that it
refers to the righteous women among human beings. (Tafsir-e-Tabari)
The word "eye" (iin) may be interpreted
to imply "rich of soul," according to Imam Raazi, who makes this
observation in the commentary on verse 52:20. This is because the eye reflects
the soul more clearly than any other portion of the body.
A small percentage of commentators state
that "wide-eyed maidens" refers to the condition of ladies of this
world in Paradise. However, the majority of commentators concur that the
wide-eyed maidens are not the women of this world. (Referenced in
Tafsir-e-Alusi/Tafsir-e-Kabeer)
They are maidens formed of musk, camphor,
and saffron, according to several Ahadith. (Tafsir-e-Alusi)
According to a tradition related to Hazrat
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the Hooris are made
of four ingredients: musk, camphor, ambergris, and saffron.
According to another Hadith, angelic
glorifications were used in the creation of the wide-eyed maidens. (Cited in
Tafsir-e-Alusi)
However, the righteous women of this world
are regarded as being of a superior rank. (Al-Bahr Al-Madid Fi Tafsir Al-Quran
Al-Majid)
The Hoor in Paradise are also
referred to as Qaasiraat al-Tarfi, "of modest gaze," in three
additional verses of the Holy Quran (37:48–49; 38:52; and 55:56). They are also
referred to as Kawaaib Atraaban, or "maidens of a single age," in one
verse (the Holy Qur'an, 78:33).
Allah Almighty says, “And with them are
those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes, as if they were hidden eggs”
(37:48-49)
The above-mentioned verse could be better
understood through this alternate translation:
“And with them are those who do not set
gaze upon men except their husbands, the maidens with gorgeous eyes, as if they
were eggs, safely hidden.” (Kanzul Iman – Translation of the Quran, 37:48-49)
“Of modest gaze”, indicates maidens who
look at none but their own husbands.
(See for reference, Ahmad ibn ʿAjibah
(d. 1224/1809), al-Bahr al-madid fi tafsir al-Quran al-majid/ Abu ʿAbd
Allah Muhammad ibn Aḥmad al-Qurṭubi (d. 671/1272), al-Jamiʿ li-ahkam al-Quran)
The word for "egg" (Bayd) is
closely linked to the word for "white" (Bayyaad or Abyad), which is
interpreted as a reference to purity in the context of the Maidens of Paradise,
just as it is in English. The usage of white in verse 37:46 [White, sweet for
the drinkers] to describe the wine of Paradise can also be connected to the
mention of eggs.
According to some commentators, the word
"eggs" is a metaphor for pearls, like in verses 56:22–23 which refer
to wide-eyed maidens who resemble hidden pearls. When something is hidden, it
either alludes to the interior of the egg or pearl or denotes that the egg or
pearl itself is never touched.
In the Qur'an, Allah says, “And with them
are the pure spouses, who do not set gaze upon men except their husbands, of a
single age.” (38:52)
“Upon thrones are the women who do not gaze
at men except their husbands, and before them, are untouched by any man or
jinn.” (55:56)
“And maidens of a single age.” (78:33)
In all eight of the above-mentioned verses,
the Paradise virgins [Hoor] are promised as a reward for the righteous
Muslims and faithful believers. (cf. as well, the holy Quran's verses, 2:25,
3:15, 4:57, and 55:70).
Allah Almighty 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.” (2:25)
“Say,
"Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear
Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow,
wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah. And
Allah is Seeing of [His] servants” (3:15)
“But those who
believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which
rivers flow, wherein they abide forever. For them therein are purified spouses,
and We will admit them to deepening shade.” (4:57)
“In them are
women of good behaviour and gorgeous faces.”
(55:70)
Other verses (see 13:23–24; 36:55–57; 40:8;
and 43:70) suggest that righteous earthly spouses will join one in Paradise.
“Gardens of
perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among
their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter
upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you
patiently endured. And excellent is the final home." (13:23-24)
“Indeed the
companions of Paradise, that Day, will be amused in [joyful] occupation -They
and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining; For them therein is
fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish]” (36:55-57)
“Our Lord, and
admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and
whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring.
Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (40:8)
“Enter Paradise
– you and your wives – and you will be honoured guests." (43:70)
The sexual pleasures of Paradise mentioned
in the verses of the Quran are a symbol of spiritual connection rather than a
sublimated version of the pleasures of worldly sexuality. Even though what one
experiences on earth is only a mirror of paradise, one can only make allusions
to paradise through the language of the earthly sexual union since it is the
purest and most potent form of physical pleasure one may have on earth.
A consideration of the above Quranic verses
clearly shows that the Hoor of Paradise are mentioned during the
description of the pleasures of paradise. The believers are reclining on
couches lined with silk brocade, wearing elegant clothing (silk and
embroidered), eating fruits, and sipping wine.
The wide-eyed Hoor are compared to
hidden pearls to denote both their great beauty and the fact that they remain
untouched, as in 55:56 and 55:74. There is a well-known Hadith Qudsi that
states, in regards to all such references to the blessings of Paradise, in
which Allah Almighty says, “I have prepared for My righteous servants what no
eye has seen and no ear has heard and what has not occurred to the heart of any
human being; so recite if you will, No soul knows what comfort is kept hidden
for it” [32:17].
The verses mentioned above and other
similar verses make it clear that Allah Almighty will bestow innumerable
blessings in the Hereafter on Muslim believers who abstain from disbelief,
polytheism, and sins, firmly hold the faith of Islam and steadfastly uphold the
Islamic faith and perform works of righteousness. In the Holy Qur'an, promises
of paradise and other rewards for believers come after descriptions of the
punishment for disbelievers [Kuffar and Mushrikin] and polytheists in hell.
The activities and punishment of
unbelievers are frequently recounted in the Holy Qur'an alongside the deeds and
rewards of believers. The believers will therefore rejoice in Allah's
protection from the harsh punishment of hell. They will receive the delicious
blessings of paradise to eat and drink as rewards for their faith and the good
deeds they performed.
The believers who enter Paradise will
receive one of these divine blessings in the shape of the lovely Hoor,
with whom they will be married. The beauty of the virgins [Hoor] and
their characteristics have also been mentioned in numerous verses of the
Qur'an. Some distinctive qualities include the fact that they will be the wives
of Muslim believers who enter Paradise, that they will only look at their
husbands, and that their husbands are the most attractive and cherished to them.
They will have lovely, big eyes. They will
be completely dust-free and so stunningly clear and white that they will
resemble hidden eggs or pearls that have never been touched before their
husbands did. Additionally, they won't experience Nifas or menstruation.
They'll all be the same age. They'll both be equally attractive and young.
They'll fall head over heels for one another. One won't have ill will, envy, or
jealousy towards the other.
The pious believers will reach Paradise
alongside those who were their wives in the world, according to various verses
of the Quran. Additionally, it is evident from some verses that the pious
Muslim women of this earth will likewise change in Paradise to resemble the Hoor.
The wives of Paradise, whether they are among the Hoor or the wives of
the earth, will be free from all types of pollutants and impurities. Along with
this, they will also be devoid of immorality and a nasty attitude.
One of the characteristics of Paradise is
that there won't be any sunshine, but there will be a light that comes from the
revelation of the light of the Lord, trees, and mercy that can't be described
or understood by anyone. The inhabitants of Paradise will engage in amusing
activities and receive numerous blessings, favours, and banquets from Allah
Almighty on the Day of Resurrection. They will also take pleasure in the
proximity of the lovely and beautiful Hoor of Paradise, the banks of
celestial rivers, the pleasant atmosphere created by celestial trees, and the
melodious songs. And it will be their responsibility to benefit from all the
rewards. They will be seated on thrones in the shadows with their wives. These
wives include both Hoor of Paradise and the believing wives of this
world.
The Hoor of Paradise Will Be
Wives, Not Concubines
The verses of the Holy Quran make it quite
clear that the Hoor of Paradise will be wives, not concubines. People
will have access to a vast range of fruits and will get anything they want in
Paradise. Keep in mind that since the evil self [Nafs-E-Ammara] would be
eradicated there, no one will wish for bad things in paradise. They will be
greeted with peace either directly by Allah, the Almighty, or indirectly
through a mediator. The biggest and most beloved advantage of divine greetings
is this. From every door, angels will approach the inhabitants of Paradise and
greet them with "peace be upon you from your merciful Lord."
The Hoor and Their Attributes in
Ahadith
The Ahadith [plural of Hadith] provide
additional information about the Hoor. They are made up, according to
certain Ahadith, of saffron from the feet to the knees, musk from the knees to
the breast, amber from the breast to the neck, and camphor from the neck to the
head. [Kitab Ahwal Al-Qiyama, p. 111]
The Hoor never get ill, never sleep,
never become pregnant, never menstruate, never spit or blow their noses, and
they never menstruate. According to Hadith, the Hoor are
"transparent to the marrow of their bones," "eternally
young," "hairless except for the eyebrows and the head,"
"pure," and "beautiful."
There are descriptions of their beauty and
fairness in the Ahadith that defy the human mind, including the following:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported
to have said: "The first group will enter Paradise looking like the moon
on the night when it is full, and those who follow them will be like the
brightest shining star in the sky. There won't be any enmity or rivalry between
them since their hearts would be as one.
Everyone will have two wives from among the Hoor-un-iin (who will
be so beautiful, pure and transparent that) the marrow of whose calves can be
seen from beneath the bone and flesh”. [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported
to have said: "If a woman from among the inhabitants of Paradise were to
look out over the earth, she would illuminate everything that is in between
them and would fill everything that is in between them with fragrance.
Additionally, her head scarf is superior to this planet and everything in it.”
How lovely is the light on her face and how
lovely the perfume that is filling the area between heaven and earth is! If she
were to show her face, it would shine between heaven and earth. In terms of
pleasures and delights, natural beauty, grand castles, and other forms of
luxuries, the scarf she wears around her head is lovelier than the beauty of
this world and everything that lives inside it. Praise be to their beautiful
Creator, and congratulations to the person for whom she is and to whom he is for
her.
Imam Abu I’saa Tirmidhi reports that Hasan
Basri says that “an old woman approached the messenger of Allah and requested,
"O Messenger of Allah, make Dua that Allah grants me entrance into Jannah
(Paradise),". The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) retorted, "O
Mother, an old woman cannot enter Paradise." The woman started crying and
began to walk away. "Tell the woman that one will not enter in an old age,
but Allah will make all the women of Paradise young virgins," the Messenger
of Allah commanded. Allah Most High says, “Indeed, We have produced the women
of Paradise in a [new] creation. And made them virgins, Devoted [to their
husbands] and of equal age, For the companions of the right [who are]”
[56:35-38]
The Qur'anic verses, Hadith, and the commentaries
all support the idea that the believing women will enjoy better living
conditions in Paradise than the Hoor Al-iin. They will be highly
respected and stunning. Many traditions and hadiths have been narrated
concerning this, however, their legitimacy is a little questionable. However,
it is certain that as a reward for her good deeds, religious goodness, and
commitment—all as a blessing from Allah Almighty—a righteous Muslim woman from
the company of worldly believers will get such a place there.
One of Allah Almighty's blessings, the Hoor
of Paradise, was made there exclusively for the righteous believers in return
for their good actions. The righteous Muslim woman who is admitted to Paradise
as a result of her righteous deeds greatly differs from the Hoor who is
created as a reward for someone's good deeds. The former is a princess and a
queen. However stunning, the latter, albeit beautiful, is definitely of a lower
position than a queen and is under the authority of her devoted master, for
whom Allah created her as a reward.
Regarding the eschatological standing of
this-worldly women in comparison to the Hoor, scholars have claimed that
pious women of this life are of a higher station than the Hoor. [Seyyed
Hossein Nasr; The Study Quran]
Sunni scholar Amad al-Sawi (d. 1825) states
in his commentary on Ahmad al-Dardir's work that "the sound position is
that the women of this world will be seventy thousand times better than the
dark-eyed virgins (Hoor iin)." [Al-Sawi, Ahmad (1947) Ḥashiyat
ʿAla Sharh al-Kharīdat al-Bahīyah [An Annotative Commentary Upon
"The Resplendent Pearl"].
In his educational primer for kids,
Muhammed ibn Umar Bahraq (d. 1524) writes that "Adamic women are better
than the dark-eyed maidens due to their prayer, fasting, and devotions."
[Bahraq al-Yamani (1996), Hilyat al-Banat wa'l-Banin wa Zīnat al-Dunya wa'l-Din
[The Splendour of Girls and Boys and the Adornment of This Life and the Next]
The Concept of 72 Hoor
Nowhere in the Qur'an does it state the
number of Hoor. It is known that every believer will receive two Hoorain
in paradise from several reliable Hadiths. (Muslim: 2834; Bukhari: 3245). Two
spouses are referenced in the Qur'an, exactly as two paradises and two
fountains, according to Muhadditheen. There is not a single authentic Hadith
that makes reference to the 72 Hoorain. The Hadith specialists state
that only two wives are mentioned in the genuine Hadiths.
It is true that 72 Hoorain are
referenced in a number of Hadiths and traditions. Not only that, but in several
Hadiths, references to 100, 500, 4,000, or even 8,000 Hoor are made.
However, all of these Hadiths are weak, and many of them are actually
fabricated. If the Qur'an could not be changed or distorted, not even one
letter could, then the enemies of Islam disseminated false Hadiths. May Allah
reward the Muhadditheen (hadith specialists) and Hadith critics who
distinguished between genuine, sound, weak, and fake Hadiths.
According to the Holy Qur'an and Hadiths,
those who believe, are pious, and perform good deeds are the only ones who will
enjoy the blessings of Paradise. As for those who killed many Muslims and a few
non-Muslims in Iraq, Syria, and the majority of Muslim countries, they are not
eligible for the rewards of Paradise. It is true that these terrorists
misrepresented the teachings of the Quran and Hadiths to support their
terrorist actions. They also occasionally presented falsehoods by associating
them with Islam. However, Muslims around the world exposed these terrorists and
disregarded their misleading ideologies.
In many of my publications, I have
personally refuted the ideologies of these terrorists. Therefore, in such a
situation, it is unethical for anyone to portray Muslims as “terrorists” and
foment discord among the general public.
I haven't yet seen 72 Hoorain, a
recently released movie. However, some claim that this movie is Islamophobic
and a crude attempt to mock Muslims and Islam. The lesson that committing acts
of terrorism against individuals in the name of 72 Hoor is incompatible
with Islamic teachings should have been conveyed if this movie were based on
truth.
I can't comment on whether the movie
insulted Islamic belief about the Hoor because I haven't watched it. On
social media, some individuals can be seen mocking this concept, nevertheless.
Then, it strikes me as odd that people who earn money by displaying the bodies
of women in public are now demeaning the sacred notion of the Hoor,
whose spiritual majesty and purity will never be realised by those with
perverted minds and hearts.
……
Bibliography
The Holy Quran
Sahih Bukhari
Sahih Muslim
Jami’ Tirmidhi
Shihab al-Din al-Alusi (d. 1270/1854),
Ruḥ al-Maani Fi tafsir al-Quran al-Aẓim wa’l-sab
al-mathani
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 606/1210),
al-Tafsir al-Kabir, also known as Mafatiḥ al-Ghayb
Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qurṭubi
(d. 671/1272), al-Jami li-ahkam al-Quran
Al-Raghib al-Isfahani (d. 502/1108),
Mufradat alfaz al-Quran
Muḥammad ibn
Jarir al-Tabari (d. 310/923), Jamiʿ al-bayan ʿan
taʾwil al-Quran
Ahmad ibn ʿAjibah (d.
1224/1809), al-Bahr al-madid fi tafsir al-Quran al-majid
Bahraq al-Yamani (1996), Hilyat al-Banat
wa'l-Banin wa Zīnat al-Dunya wa'l-Din [The Splendour of Girls and Boys and the
Adornment of This Life and the Next]
-----
A regular columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is
a classical Islamic scholar [Aalim, Faazil and Mutakhassis Fi al-Adab al-Arabi
wa al-Ulum al-Shariah] with a Sufi background and an English-Arabic-Urdu
Translator.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/hoor-paradise-quran-ahadith-movie-72-hoorain/d/130049
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic
Website, African
Muslim News, Arab World
News, South Asia
News, Indian
Muslim News, World Muslim
News, Women in
Islam, Islamic
Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism