Mention of Jannatul Firdaus in the Quraan

[Umm Sulaym]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Asalamoalaykum warahmatullah,

I tried searching the forums and elsewhere but couldn't come across any answer to the following:

Is Jannatul Firdaus only mentioned once in the Quraan?

If so,
--do the 'Ulema of Tafseer have any opinion on the possible wisdom behind this?
--and why only specifically Surat'l Kahf because if it's mentioned only in this Surah, then that makes this Surah very special?

[ahmed frihy]

Assalamo alikom

It was mentioned twice
1-Alkahf v.107
2-Almouamenoon v.11

Assalamo alikom

[Qatadah]

asalaamu alaykum waRahmatullahi waBarakaatuh

It's mentioned in surah al Mu'minoon too (after giving the best descriptions of a believer), but I wondered why it was mentioned in the last 10 aayaat of surah al Kahf. But do you not remember that whoever recites the first 10 or last 10 aayaat of al Kahf from heart is protected from the fitan (trials) of al-Dajjal?

So when the believers are tested with al-Dajjal, and they recite them aayaat - they are most likely to be people of Jannah al-Firdaws due to al-Dajjal being the biggest fitnah since the time of Adam. So these aayaat being recited and hope for Jannah al Firdaws in a time when al-Dajjal has all the worldly pleasures is a mercy from Allah.

This is why I believe Allah's Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) taught us to memorize either the 1st 10 aayaat or the last 10 aayaat of al Kahf when al-Dajjal arrives. Giving them hopes for al-Firdaws especially during this difficult time. Wa Allahu a'lam.

[abu_umayza]

It would also be ideal to get some of the meanings of Al-Firdaws (and Al-Jahanam) and what they stands for...

Abu Umamah said, "Al-Firdaws is the center of Paradise.'' Qatadah said, "Al-Firdaws is a hill in Paradise, at its (i.e. Paradise's) centre, the best of it.'' This was also narrated from Samurah and similarly reported from Anas and attributed to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم‎, who also said: "If you ask Allah for Paradise, then ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for it is the highest part of Paradise, in the middle of Paradise, and from it spring the rivers of Paradise." - Such supplications invoke hope for those seeking to be among those who inhibit the qualities that Allah mentions of the inheritors Al-Firdaws.

If we read Ayaat 100-106 of Al-Kahf, we read the characteristics and descriptions of those people who deserve Jahanam - the disbelievers, those who are oblivious to the Qur'an, those who commit shirk, those who wasted their lives away under an illusion of acquiring goodness, those deny His Ayaat and the Meeting with Him, those who mock the Messengers etc. The reward of Al-Firdaws is (likely) commensurate to the punishment of its opposite: Jahanam. And in this case, the warning is followed by the promise in equal measure.

In 102 and 107, we see the word نُزُلًا (that translates as a place of hospitable lodging and entertainment), again establishing a balance between the two extremes of al-Jahanam and al-Firdaws, each of which will be as welcoming as the other in all that it has to provide its inhabitant.

In Al-Mu'minoon, 11, when speaking of those who shall inherit Al-Firdaws, there is an enforced emphasis on the word 'inherit' (in Ayah, 10), its purpose is very special and shows the critical importance of the qualities (and subject matter) of what precedes in Ayaat 1-9 (without any of which, one is not able to inherit Al-Firdaws). The qualities and attributes of the believer mentioned in Al-Kahf are general, while those mentioned in Al-Mu'minoon are specific. Taken together, they provide a complete blueprint for those deserving of Allah's Mercy AND included in this, is being granted Al-Firdaws.

The special place Al-Firdaws has in Paradise becomes even more clear when we read in the following hadeeth:

أن الله تعالى خلق ثلاثة أشياء بيده : خلق آدم بيده ، وكتب التوراة بيده ، وغرس الفردوس بيده

"Verily Allah, the Most High, created three things with His Hand. He created Adam with His Hand, and He wrote the Torah with His Hand, and planted Al-Firdaws with His Hand..."

This is from a reason why Al-Firdaws is mentioned only twice in the Qur'an. Because of its special place and uniqueness - and the likelihood that not many from mankind will be able to (have the ability to) achieve it. Allaahu ta'la a'lam.

May Allah Grant us Al-Firdaws and make its path easy for us through His Mercy.
.

[Umm Sulaym]

Mashaa'Allah, jazakummAllahu khayran for everything shared. Some very interesting points made regarding Surat'l Kahf and explanation of Al Firdaus...very beautiful. May Allah SWT make us and our families among the few who are granted Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.