Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I believe that heaven has 7 levels. When a Muslim dies and is assigned to a particular level, say lower level than another Muslim, can he/she visit a friend who is designated to stay on the upper level? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Visit another in Paradise

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I believe that heaven has 7 levels.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 29:

29 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 has Perfect Knowledge.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 67 Surah Mulk verses 3-4:

3 He Who created the seven heavens one above another; no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious; so turn thy vision again: Seest thou any flaw?

4 Again turn thy vision a second time; (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited in a state worn out.

Although it is indeed a fact that the Lord Most Majestic created seven heavens or skies, one above the other……to say that Paradise has only seven levels or grades would be absolutely inaccurate! In light of the below quoted guidance of the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah, it is related that Paradise in the Hereafter would have innumerable levels and grades.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 21:

21 See how We have bestowed more on some than on others (in this world); but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation, and more in excellence.

In light of the guidance of the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah, the levels in Paradise are not restricted to seven (or any other number for that matter!). In light of the above quoted verse of Surah Israa, it would be safe to assume that there are innumerable levels of rank and gradation in the Realms of Paradise; and each fortunate dweller of Paradise will be allotted their due rank and gradation according to the level of their belief and deeds, and above all, from the Mercy and Grace of their Lord Most Gracious.

Such are the innumerable grades, ranks and levels in Paradise that the Messenger of Allah (saws) declared in one narration that a hundred of them are reserved only for the ‘mujahideen’ who fight in the Allah’s Cause!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.48 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger (saws), offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah's Cause or remains in the land where he is born." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (saws)! Shall we acquaint the people with this good news?" He (saws) replied: "Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved (only) for the ‘mujahidin’ who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for ‘Al-Firdaus’ which is the best and highest part of Paradise." (i.e., The sub-narrator added, "The Prophet (saws) also said, 'Above it (i.e. ‘Al-Firdaus’) is the Throne of the Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.")

Of all the grades and levels of Paradise, the Messenger of Allah (saws) declared the absolute highest rank and level is called the ‘Al-Firdaus’…..

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.318 Narrated by Anas

Haritha was martyred on the day (of the battle) of Badr, and he was a young boy then. His mother came to the Prophet (saws) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (saws)! You know how dear Haritha is to me. If he is in Paradise, I shall remain patient, and hope for reward from Allah, but if it is not so, then you shall see what I do?" He (saws) replied "May Allah be merciful to you! Have you lost your senses? Do you think there is only one Paradise? There are many Paradises and your son is in the (most superior) Paradise of all, the ‘Al-Firdaus’."

Your Question: …..When a Muslim dies and is assigned to a particular level, say lower level than another Muslim, can he/she visit a friend who is designated to stay on the upper level? 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 36 Surah Ya Seen verses 55-58:

Verily the People of the Gardens shall that Day enjoy in everything that they do; they and their wives will be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on Thrones (of dignity). They shall have all kinds of tasteful fruits, and they shall have there, whatever they may desire. They will have been greeted with ‘Peace’, a Word (of salutation) from a Lord, Most Merciful.

Allah Say sin the Holy Quran Chapter 40 Surah Ghafir verses 7-9:

7 Those (Angels) who sustain the Throne (of Allah) and those around it sing Glory and Praise to their Lord; believe in Him; and implore forgiveness for those who believe: "O Our Lord! Thy reach is over all things in Mercy and Knowledge. Forgive then those who turn in repentance and follow Thy Path: and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire!

8 And grant O our Lord! That they enter the Gardens of Eternity which Thou hast promised to them and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their posterity! For Thou (Allah) art the Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom.

Without an iota of a doubt sister, every single person one knew and loved on this earth will recognize and remember each other in Paradise. The loved ones amongst the believers who lived their lives on this earth in the obedience and awe of Allah Subhanah and were all fortunate enough to enter Paradise, the Lord Most High, Most Merciful will re-unite all of them with their loved ones amongst their parents, their wives, their children and grand-children, and their believing friends in the Realms of Paradise.

Not only will Allah Subhanah re-unite the members of one’s family from amongst their righteous wives, and parents, and children in those Eternal Gardens of Bliss; but the fortunate and honored dwellers of Paradise will remember and recognize every one they associated with on this earth! They will even remember and, if they so wish, be shown the reality of the arrogant and unrighteous acquaintances and the ‘worldly friends’ who used to belie and mock the Truth on earth, and are thus being humiliated, disgraced, and tortured in the Fire of Hell!

^{Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 37 Surah Saafaat verses 40-61:}

40 But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah

41 For them is a Sustenance Determined

42 Fruits (Delights) and they (shall enjoy) honor and dignity.

43 In Gardens of Felicity.

44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

45 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain

46 Crystal-white of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof)

47 Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

48 And beside them will be chaste women; restraining their glances with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

49 As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

50 Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

51 One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth)

52 "Who used to say `What! Art thou amongst those who bear witness to the truth (of the Message)?

53 `When we die and become dust and bones shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?' "

54 (A voice) will say: "Would ye like to look down?"

55 He will look down and see him in the midst of the Fire.

56 He will say: "By Allah! Thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

58 "Is it (the case) that we shall not die

59 "Except our first death and that we shall not be punished?"

60 Verily this is the Supreme Achievement!

61 For the like of this let all strive who wish to strive.

Your Question: ….When a Muslim dies and is assigned to a particular level, say lower level than another Muslim, can he/she visit a friend who is designated to stay on the upper level? 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 50 Surah Qaaf verse 35:

There they (the men and women of Paradise) shall have all that they will desire, and We have with Us yet more for them!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah Furqan verses 15-16:

Ask them, “Is this (the Fire) better, or the Everlasting Gardens which have been promised to the God-fearing, righteous people (men and women)?”. That will be the recompense of their good deeds and the final destination of their journey, wherein, they will get everything they desire, and wherein they will dwell forever. This is a promise which your Lord has taken upon Himself to fulfill.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 32 Surah Sajdah verse 17:

No living being knows what comfort of the eyes has been kept hidden from them, as a recompense for their (righteous) deeds!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 119:

Allah will say: "This is a Day on which the Truthful will profit from their Truth: theirs are Gardens with rivers flowing beneath their eternal home: Allah well-pleased with them and they with Allah: that is the Great Salvation!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 98 Surah Al-Bayyinah verse 8:

Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity Beneath which rivers flow; They will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.302 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Allah said, 'I have prepared for my pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and nobody has ever thought of.' "

Respected sister, leave alone being able to merely meet or visit a loved one in Paradise…..each and every desire of each and every fortunate dweller of Paradise will be fulfilled in an instant by the Grace of the Lord Most Gracious…..for ever and ever and ever!!! It is the solemn Promise of the Lord Most Majestic Most Supreme Himself that He will fulfill every single desire of every dweller of Paradise…for ever and ever and ever!!!....There will be no wish made by a dweller of Paradise which their Lord Most Gracious will ever refuse or turn down!!!.....And who can be Truer in His Word that Allah Subhanah, the Lord of the Worlds!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah An-Nisa verse 122:

The promise of Allah is True; and who can be truer in his word than Allah?

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan