Table Of Contents
Quranic Evidence That We Will Remember Our Life on Earth
There is evidence in the Quran that the people of Paradise will remember the life of this world. For example, in Surat At-Tur, Allah tells us (interpretation of the meaning):
{And some of them draw near to others, questioning, saying: ‘Aforetime, we were afraid with our families (of the punishment of Allah). But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.} [At-Tur 52:25-28]
Memories of Evil Companions Who Tried to Misguide Us
The people of Paradise will also remember the evil people who tried to make the people of faith have doubts and called them to disbelief. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): {Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning. A speaker of them will say, ‘Verily, I had a companion (in the world), who used to say, "Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death), (that) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?} [As-Saffat 37:50-53]
Reflecting on Worldly Trials with Gratitude in Jannah
They will remember the trials and tribulations they went through in this world, with regard to themselves, their children, their families and their wealth, and they will say joyfully: {… ‘All praise and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).’} [Fatir 35:34]
Jannah: Similar Fruits and Du`a’ Fulfilled
They will also be reminded of this life when they see the fruits which will resemble those which they used to eat in this world, but whose size and taste are different. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): {… Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: ‘This is what we were provided with before,’ and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e., in the same form but different in taste)…} [Al-Baqarah 2:25]
They will also recall their Du`as in times of hardship, when they raised their hands to heaven asking for their deeds to be accepted and for help to do righteous deeds and to be included among those who would inherit blessings. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And some of them draw near to others, questioning, saying: {Aforetime, we were afraid with out families (of the punishment of Allah). But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.} [At-Tur 52:25-28]
Desires in Jannah: Children, Cultivation, and More
As regards the matter of them desiring something like the blessings of this world, they will in fact desire something better than that, because even the person who is the lowest in status in Paradise will enjoy something like ten times the joys of this world.
`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) said: ‘I know who will be the last person to be brought out of Hell and the last person to enter Paradise. It will be a man who will come out of Hell crawling. Allah will say to him, "Go and enter Paradise." So he will go there and think that it is full, so he will come back and say, "O Lord, I found it full." Allah will say to him a second time, "Go and enter Paradise." So he will go there and think that it is full, so he will come back and say, "O Lord, I found it full." Allah will say to him, "Go and enter Paradise, for there you will have something like the world and ten times more." The man will say, "Are You making fun of me (or are You laughing at me), and You are the King of all?"’ - and I saw the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) smiling so broadly that his back teeth could be seen. He used to say, ‘That is the person who is lowest in status in Paradise.’" [Narrated by Al-Buhkari and Muslim; this version is reported by Muslim, 272]
Everything that the people of Paradise desire will be theirs, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): {… (there will be) therein all that one’s inner-self could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.} [Az-Zukhruf 43:71]
A number of Hadith state that the people of Paradise will have their desires for children or to grow things fulfilled, without having to wait for them.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) was speaking about the people of Paradise one day when a Bedouin was present. He described how a man of the people of Paradise will ask his Lord’s permission to grow some plants. (In Arabic, the past tense is used here to show that this will undoubtedly happen). Allah will ask him, "Do you not already have all that you want?" He will say, "Yes, but I like to grow things." So he will go and plant his seeds, and within the blink of an eye they will grow, ripen, be harvested and piled up like mountains. Allah will say, "Here you are, O son of Adam, nothing makes you satisfied!" The Bedouin said, "O Messenger of Allah, you will find that he is either from Quraysh or the Ansar, for they are the ones who like to grow things; we don’t like to grow anything!" The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) smiled broadly. (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6965)
Ibn Hijr (may Allah have mercy on him) reported the following Hadith in Fat-h Al-Bari; from it we learn that whatever worldly desires one wishes for in Paradise can be fulfilled.
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) said: "If the believer in Paradise wishes for a child, it will be conceived and delivered, and will grow to the desired age in an instant." (At-Tirmidhi, 2487. Abu `Isa said: This is a sound Hadith; see also Sahih Al-Jami`, 6649)
We ask Allah to make us among the people of Paradise by His Grace and Mercy.
For more details, please refer to the following answers: (165752, 126349, 390, 153285, 4003, 215011, 34913, 309602, 257509, 4203, 20469, 147996)
And Allah knows best.
