and no death.’ ”
Al-Bazzār then remarked, “We know of no report on the authority of Anas except through this chain, and Allah, Exalted is He, knows best. (1)
A description of Paradise and of the everlasting bliss it contains—bliss that will abide for all eternity, never fading, diminishing, or ceasing; rather, it only grows in splendor and beauty. We ask Allah, Exalted is He, for Paradise and seek His protection from the Fire.
Allah the Exalted says:
“Its fruit is everlasting and so is its shade.” ⦗13:35⦘
Anything that comes to an end, even after thousands of years, is not truly everlasting.
He also says:
“Indeed, this is Our provision which shall never be exhausted.” ⦗38:54⦘
Whatever is liable to interruption will in fact be exhausted.
And He says:
“Whatever you possess will perish, but what is with Allah will remain.” ⦗16:96⦘
Thus He informs us that the world and everything in it will pass away, whereas what is with Allah endures and never perishes; were it destined to end, it would perish just as worldly delights perish.
He further says:
“For them is a reward that will never be cut off.” ⦗84:25⦘ A number of exegetes have explained this to mean: a reward that is neither interrupted nor diminished. The related word manūn refers to the cutting short of a person’s lifespan.
Mujāhid said: “unreckoned,” which is the same idea, for anything that comes to an end is measured and finite, unlike that which has no limit.
Reports on the number of the gates of Paradise, their breadth, and the greatness of its gardens
Allah the Exalted says:
“As for those who feared their Lord, they will be driven to Paradise in groups. When they arrive and its gates are opened, its keepers will say, ‘Peace be upon you; you have done well—enter it to abide forever.’ (73) And they will say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, Who has been true to His promise and has made us inherit the land, so that we may dwell in Paradise wherever we wish. How excellent is the reward of those who work!’” ⦗az-Zumar: 73-74⦘
He also says:
“While the angels enter upon them from every gate, (23) ‘Peace be upon you for the patience you showed. How excellent is the final abode!’” ⦗ar-Raʿd: 23-24⦘
It has already been mentioned that when the believers reach the gate of Paradise they will find it closed. They will then implore Allah, Exalted be He, that it be opened for them through Muhammad. He will come to the gate of Paradise and strike its ring, whereupon the keeper will ask, “Who are you?” He will reply, “Muhammad.” The keeper will say, “I have been commanded not to open it for anyone before you.”
It is established in the two Ṣaḥīḥs that he will be the first intercessor admitted into Paradise (2) and the first to knock at its gate (3).