Its name corresponds to the name we apply to ourselves, yet the reality is altogether different. Likewise, Paradise contains honey, water, wine, meat, women, fruit, pomegranates, and many other delights, but they are nothing like their counterparts in this world; for Allah, exalted is He, says in the Noble Qur’an: “No soul knows what joy has been kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do” (32:17). Had those pleasures been the same as those of this life, we would have known them—but they are neither similar nor even close.

The Prophet ﷺ, narrating from Allah, also said: “I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never crossed the human heart.” We ask Allah to make us and the Muslims among those for whom He has prepared that reward.

Thus Khadijah—may Allah be pleased with her—was given glad tidings by the Prophet ﷺ, through Gabriel, that she would have a house in Paradise built of qasab (hollow pearls). Yet the qasab of Paradise is nothing like the qasab of this world. He then said: “in which there is neither ṣakhab (clamour) nor naṣab (fatigue).” Ṣakhab means loud, annoying noises; and all the inhabitants of Paradise—every single one of them—are people who have no