Names and Levels of Paradise in Quran

IQNA – The Holy Quran refers to paradise by various names and attributes, some of which emphasize a special feature of paradise and some others point to the special paradises prepared for the believers according to their ranks.

Jannat al-Naeem, Jannat al-Adn, Jannat al-Firdaus, Jannat al-Khuld, Jannat al-Maawa, Dar as-Salaam, Dar al-Muqama, and Dar al-Qarar are among the names mentioned in the Quran to refer to paradise.

Some of these names, such as Dar as-Salaam, which means house of peace and health, are probably used to refer to one aspect of paradise. God says in Verse 127 of Surah Al-Anaam:

“They shall have Dar as-Salaam (the abode of peace) with their Lord.”

In Surah Al-Fatir, paradise is first referred to as Jannat al-Adn but then quotes people of paradise as naming it Dar al-Muqama.

Some of the names of paradise, however, probably point to different ranks and levels. The Quran refers to the place some people of paradise will live as Jannat al-Adn, some others as Jannat al-Maawa, another group as Jannat al-Firdaus and another as Jannat al-Naeem.

According to a Hadith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “In Paradise, there are a hundred levels, what is between every two levels is like what is between the heavens and the earth. Al-Firdaus is the highest level, and from it the four rivers of paradise are made to flow forth. So when you ask Allah SWT, ask Him for Jannah Al-Firdaus.” This means every person, no matter how high his status on the path to perfection is, should not be satisfied with that position but should strive to move to a higher status and level through increasing his knowledge, doing more good deeds and doing Tazheeb (purifying and improving one’s self).

Clearly, the higher the level of one’s faith, deeds, knowledge and morality, the more divine blessings in the hereafter. The Holy Quran says in Verse 132 of Surah Al-Anaam:

“People's deeds are of different degrees and your Lord is not unaware of what people do.”

Ranks and levels in this world are easy simple but the levels and ranks of the righteous people in terms of faith, good deeds and closeness to God have many nuances and complexities. For example, one may have a high rank due to having achieved martyrdom but another person may be higher than him in ranks because of his humbleness.  The Holy Quran says in Verse 21 of Surah Al-ISra:

“See how We have preferred some above others. Yet the Everlasting Life is greater in rank and greater in preferment.”