Heaven in Judaism and Islam

{Similarities between the Jewish and Muslim beliefs regarding Heaven}

=================================================

Be patient for Heaven

In Jewish Apocryphal literature;

“Be hopeful, because formerly you have pined away through evil and toil. But now you will shine like the lights of heaven, and you shall be seen, and the windows of heaven will be opened for you…you are about to be making a great rejoicing like the angels of heaven.” (1 Enoch 104:2,4)

In Islamic literature
“Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who strived hard (In His Cause) and remained patient?” (Quran 3:142)

=================================================

A Celestial Realm Created Before Earth

 Jewish Biblical verses;

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

 Rabbinical writings;

“Seven things were created before the earth was created; Law, repentance, Garden of Eden, Gehenna (Hell), the Throne of Glory, the Temple and the name of the Messiah” (Pesahim 54a), (Sifre Deuteronomy37), and (Nedarim 39b)

Islamic Scripture:

"So He ordained them seven heavens in two periods, and revealed in every heaven its affair; and We adorned the lower heaven with brilliant stars and (made it) to guard; that is the decree of the Mighty, the Knowing." (Holy Koran 41:12)

=================================================

Hell can be seen from Heaven

 Rabbinical writings;

“Why did the Holy Blessed One create Gehenna (Hell) and the Garden of Eden? So that one can behold the other. How much space is between them? R. Yohanan said; The breadth of a wall. R. Hanina said; The breadth of a hand. But the Rabbis said; The two are right up against each other. (Pesikta Rabbati 52:3)

Islamic writings:

(Prophet Muhammad speaking to Angel Gabriel in Heaven): “'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.” (Sahih BukhariVolume 1, Book 8, Number 345 Narrated Abu Dhar)

=================================================

Some Pass Hell Before Entering Heaven

 Rabbinical writings;
Before the Righteous enter Heaven, they are shown Hell (Midrash on Psalms 6:6)

Islamic writings:

(people are placed in Hell temporarily for a set time , depending on their sins , and are then removed from Hell for simply having a atom's weight of Faith in God) {Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532s, Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri}

=================================================

Resting place for the Righteous;

In Jewish Apocryphal literature;

“All the holy ones who are in Heaven will bless Him, and the elect who dwell in the garden of life” (1 Enoch 90:23)

“garden of the righteous” (1 Enoch 90:23)

 Rabbinical writings;

Kings Jeroboam, Ahab, and Manasseh, the men of Sodom, as well as the Hebrew spies cursed by Moses and the generation ordered to wander in the desert wilderness and those who deny the Resurrection of the dead in the Torah and the generation of the Flood have no share in the World to Come (M. Sanhedren 10:1-3)

The righteous merit the Garden of Eden, and the wicked are punished in Gehenna (Hell) the realm of punitive retribution (Midrash Psalms 31, 120a; Hagigah 15a)

Islamic Scripture:

“But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens” {Quran 2:25}

=================================================

Actions and Faith on Earth rewarded in Heaven

Rabbinical writings;

concentrate on study, prayer, and compassionate deeds in order to merit the rewards of the world to come; (M. Avot 1:2), (M. Avot 4:16), (Berakhot 28b), (Sanhedrin 91b).

Islamic Scripture:
”But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens..” (Quran 2:25)

=================================================

Better than This World

Rabbinical writings;

“this world is not at all like the world to come” (Berakhot 17a)

“Better is one hour of bliss in the world to come than the whole life in this world” (M. Avot 4:17)

Islamic Scripture:

”Say: Shall I give you glad tidings of things Far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; with companions pure (and holy); and the good pleasure of Allah. For in Allah's sight are (all) His servants,” (Quran 3:15)

“a place equal to a foot in Paradise is better than the whole world and whatever is in it; (Sahih Bukhari, Book 76: Number 572)

=================================================

Will have the Scent of Perfume

Rabbinical writings;

“There will be no need to provide balsam or perfume, because a north wind and a south wind will sweep through and sprinkle all the romantic plants of the Garden of Eden so that they will yield their fragrance” (Numbers Rabbah 13:2)

Islamic literature:

“..if one of the women of Paradise looked at the earth, she would fill the whole space between them (the earth and the heaven) with light, and would fill whatever is in between them, with perfume.." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 76: Number 572)

=================================================

Will have Servants

Rabbinical writings; 

“Garden on Eden has two gates of ruby, by which stand sixty varieties of pure servants.  The luster of the face of each of them glistens like the splendor of the firmament. When a righteous man arrives, they remove his clothes in which he had been buried, and clothe him in white robes of the clouds of glory.”(Yalkut Shimoni, Bereshit 20)

Islamic Scripture:

“.. they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).” (Quran 2:25)

=================================================

Will have flowing wine, milk and honey

Rabbinical writings;

“Each person has a chamber allotted to him according to the honor due to him. From it issues four streams, one of milk, one of wine, one of balsam, and one of honey” (Salkut Shimoni, Bereshit)

Islamic Scripture:

”(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?” (Quran 47:15)

=================================================

Will See the Glory of God;

In Jewish Apocryphal literature;

“..they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them..” (4 Ezra 7:88-92)

Rabbinical writings;

In the world to come, body and soul will stand together before God (Leviticus Rabbah 4:5) , (Sanhedrin 91a)

Islamic Scripture:
”I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.” (Quran 3:55)

=================================================

Seven Levels:

In Jewish Apocryphal literature;

“seven realms for …the righteous, and afterwards they shall be gathered into their habitations (4 Ezra 7:100-101)

Islamic Scripture

”It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.” (Quran 2:29)

=================================================

Different Prophets in Different Levels

Jewish Midrash literature;

(Joseph the son of Jacob in the first degree of Heaven, Phineas, son of Elazar in the second degree, Elazar, son of Aaron in the third degree, Aaron the priest in the fourth degree, Manasseh, king of Judah in the fifth degree, Joshua, attendant of Moses in the sixth degree, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the seventh degree.) [George Wesley Buchanan]

Islamic literature:

“Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Gabriel.' The gate-keeper,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Gabriel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet added:). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.' Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' (Sahih Bukhari, Book 54: Number 429)