Are People in Paradise Now?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: My friend asked me why in some hadiths it is stated that this “person” is in heaven in the present tense, even though we as Muslims believe people will enter heaven after judgement day. I was wondering whether you could answer this question because I couldn’t give him a definitive answer.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Many of those mentioned in various narrations (hadiths) about being in Paradise or Hell are likely to be cases of the unseen, unveiled to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

Yet, it is important to note that Paradise is in existence right now. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) actually entered it during the night journey and ascension (mi`raj). And our father Adam (Allah bless him and give him peace) descended to Earth, also after having been in Paradise. [Bajuri, Tuhfat al-Murid `ala Jawhara al-Tawhid]

The general principle with regards to this has two aspects:

[1] Entering in spirit — this is the case with the Prophets (Allah bless them and give them all peace) as understood from the visions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) of some of them at various levels of Paradise during the ascension (mi`raj), and also the martyrs who will be in green birds, free to roam in Paradise as they please.

[2] Entering with body and spirit –- this will be for whole of mankind and jinnkind after the day of judgement

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani