Does the Hadith About the Market in Paradise Reflect Gender-Specific Roles or Shared Opportunities?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Does the hadith about the market in Paradise imply that only men will go out? At the same time, do women remain indoors, or does it have a broader interpretation regarding the activities and experiences of both genders in Jannah?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
In Paradise, there is no accountability. Men and women will enter the markets and will experience the same, equally as men, as they will not possess earthly or worldly desires and emotions.
Allah Most High says, “Indeed, the righteous will be amid Gardens and springs. It will be said to them, “Enter in peace and security.” We will remove whatever bitterness they had in their hearts. In a friendly manner, they will be on thrones, facing one another. [Quran, 15:45-48]
Market in Paradise
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, there is a market in Paradise to which the people will come every Friday. The wind will scatter fragrance on their faces and clothes, increasing their excellence and beauty. They will return to their families after having been increased in excellence and beauty, and they will say: By Allah, we have seen you increased in excellence and beauty! They will say them: By Allah, you as well have increased in excellence and beauty!”[Muslim]
Let us always ask Allah al-Wahhab (The Ever Giving) with the special dua’ of Abdullah ibn Masud (Allah be pleased with him):
اَللّٰهُمَّ إنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ إِيْمَانًا لَّا يَرْتَدُّ ، وَنَعِيْمًا لَّا يَنْفَدُ ، وَمُرَافَقَةَ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ فِيْ أَعْلَىٰ جَنَّةِ الْخُلْدِ
O Allah, I beg you for faith which does not waver, blessings which do not cease, and the company of our Prophet Muḥammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the loftiest abode of the Eternal Garden [Ibn Ḥibban].
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
– Paradise
– Reader on Womens Ranks in Hereafter
I pray this helps answer your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
