Description of Hoor Al

Description of hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah
07-05-11, 07:21 PM
:salams
Praise be to Allaah.
I. Description of al-hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah
Pleasing the most Merciful and entering Paradise are the ultimate aim that believing men and women should
wish for. If a person departs this world having won the pleasure of Allaah, then he will have the glad tidings of
all that is good after that. When he enters Paradise he will have delights and pleasures such as no eye has seen,
no ear has heard and it has not entered the mind of any man. He will have all that he wishes for in the best ways.
Everything that he asks for will be granted, and everything that he longs for he will get. He will never find
anything to upset or disturb him, because he is in the care of the Most Merciful, as Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask.
32. An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” [Fussilat 41:31-32]
One of the best things that people long for in the Hereafter is, for men, the women of Paradise, namely al-hoor
al-‘iyn, and for women there is an equivalent delight. By His great wisdom, Allaah has not mentioned what the
women will have as the equivalent of al-hoor al-‘iyn for men, and that is due to modesty and shyness. How can
He encourage them to seek Paradise by mentioning something that they are too shy and modest to mention or
speak about themselves? So He has simply hinted at it, as in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire” [Fussilat 41:31-32]
The description of al-hoor al-‘iyn is mentioned in more than one place in the Book of Allaah, such as the
following:
1 – Allaah says, describing the reward of the people of Paradise (interpretation of the meaning):
“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes (as wives for Al-Muttaqoon – the pious).
23. Like unto preserved pearls” [al-Waaqi’ah 56:22, 23]
Al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”.
Al-Hawra’ is a woman in whose eyes are lined with kohl, beautiful and bright. Al-‘iyn refers
to beautiful and huge eyes. The beauty of eyes in the female is one of the greatest signs of beauty.
“Like unto preserved pearls” means, as if they are pure, white, shining pearls, which
are covered and protected from people’s eyes, the wind and the sun. Their colour is one of the most beautiful of
colours and they have no fault or blemish of any kind. This is how al-hoor al-‘iyn are: they have no faults of
blemishes of any kind, rather they are beautiful in all ways.
Every time you gaze upon her, you see nothing but that which gladdens the heart. End quote.
Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 991
2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral” [al-Rahmaan 55:58]
Al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Ibn Zayd said concerning the words “they are like rubies and coral” it is as if they are rubies in their purity and
like coral in their whiteness. So their purity is that of rubies and their whiteness is that of pearls. End quote.
Tafseer al-Tabari, 27/152
3 – Allaah says describing the women of Paradise, in Soorat al-Waaqi’ah (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.
36. And made them virgins.
37. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age” [al-Waaqi’ah 56:35-37]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to the word “loving (‘uruban)”, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, quoting from Ibn ‘Abbaas that it means:
they are loving towards their husbands. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-‘urub are those who love their
husbands and their husbands love them.
With regard to the word “of equal age (atraaban)”, al-Dahhaak said, quoting from Ibn ‘Abbaas, that it means: of
the same age, thirty-three years.
Al-Saddi said: “atraaban” means that they are equal in temperament and they do not resent or envy one another,
i.e., they are not like hostile co-wives. End quote.
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/294
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

It was narrated that Mujaahid said concerning the verse “Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”: i.e.,
those who are dear to their husbands.
Fath al-Baari, 8/626
4 – Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein (Gardens) will be Khairaatun-Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful]” [al-Rahmaan 55:70]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:

They are described as being fair and beautiful. The word khayraat (fair and good) is derived from the word
khayyarah, which refers to the woman who combines all good qualities, both outward and inward, and whose
physical appearance and attitude are perfect. So they are good in attitude and fair of face.
Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243.
5 – Allaah describes them as pure, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and they will abide therein
forever” [al-Baqarah 2:25]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Allaah describes them as pure: “and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives)”,
pure from menses, urine and the like (stools) and all off-putting features that may exist in the women of this
world. And their hearts are pure from envy, annoyance of their husbands, meanness or wishing for husbands
other than them.
Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243, 244
6 – Allaah describes them as refraining from looking at anyone except their husbands (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Wherein both will be Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances, desiring none except
their husbands]” [al-Rahmaan 55:56]
“Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions” [al-Rahmaan 55:72]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Allaah describes them as being “guarded in pavilions”, i.e., they are prevented from making a display of
themselves before anyone except their husbands. They are guarded for their husbands and they do not go out of
their houses, and they restrain themselves for them and do not desire anyone else. And Allaah describes them as
“Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances”. This description is more complete than the
first, for one of them restrains her gaze and focuses her love upon her husband, she is content with him and does
not look beyond him at anyone else.
Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 244
This is a brief look at what has been said about them in the Qur’aan.
In the Sunnah there are descriptions of their beauty and fairness which defy the imagination, such as the
following:
1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first group will enter Paradise
looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those who follow them will be like the brightest shining
star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will
have two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from beneath the bone and
flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014; Muslim, 2843.
Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The stunning beauty of the hoori is such that the marrow of her calves can be seen from beneath her clothes, and
a man will be able to see his face in the liver of one of them, like a mirror because of the fineness of her skin and
the purity of her colour.
2 – It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a woman from among the
people of Paradise were to look out over the earth, she would illuminate everything that is in between them, and
would fill everything that is in between them with fragrance. And the scarf on her head is better than this world
and everything in it.”
If she were to show her face, it would shine between heaven and earth; how beautiful is the light of her face and
how beautiful the scent that is filling the space between heaven and earth. As for her garments, the scarf that she
places on her head is better than the beauty of this world and all that is in it of delights and pleasure and natural
beauty and splendid palaces and other kinds of luxuries. Glory be to their Creator, how great He is, and
congratulations to the one for whom she is and he is for her.
II. The situation of the believing woman in Paradise will be better than the situation of the hoor al-‘iyn; she
will be higher in status and more beautiful. Several ahaadeeth and reports have been narrated concerning that,
but none of them can be proven to be sound. But if a righteous woman from among the people of this world
enters Paradise, then she will do so as a reward for her righteous deeds and as a honour from Allaah to her for
her religious commitment and righteousness. As for the hoori who is one of the delights of Paradise, she has
only been created in Paradise for the sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man
for his righteous deeds. There is a great difference between one who enters Paradise as a reward for her
righteous deeds and the one who was created as a reward for one who did righteous deeds. The former is a
queen and a princess, and the latter, no matter how beautiful she is, is undoubtedly lower in status than a queen,
and she is subject to the command of her believing master for whom Allaah created her as a reward.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the description of the hoor al-‘iyn
include the women of this world?
He replied: It seems to me that the women of this world will be better than the hoor al-‘iyn, even in outward
appearance, and Allaah knows best.
Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb.
We ask Allaah the Almighty to give us the best of that which He gives to His believing slaves.
60188: Description of al-hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah
What is the description of al-hoor al-iyn as stated in the Qur'aan and Sunnah? If a
wife is righteous in this world, what will her form or attributes be in Paradise if
Allaah wills that she should enter Paradise?.
Published Date: 2005-08-26
Firstly:
Pleasing the most Merciful and entering Paradise are the ultimate aim that believing
men and women should wish for. If a person departs this world having won the
pleasure of Allaah, then he will have the glad tidings of all that is good after that.
When he enters Paradise he will have delights and pleasures such as no eye has
seen, no ear has heard and it has not entered the mind of any man. He will have all
that he wishes for in the best ways. Everything that he asks for will be granted, and
everything that he longs for he will get. He will never find anything to upset or
disturb him, because he is in the care of the Most Merciful, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have
(all) for which you ask.
32. An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[Fussilat 41:31-32]
One of the best things that people long for in the Hereafter is, for men, the women of
Paradise, namely al-hoor al-‘iyn, and for women there is an equivalent delight. By His
great wisdom, Allaah has not mentioned what the women will have as the equivalent
of al-hoor al-‘iyn for men, and that is due to modesty and shyness. How can He
encourage them to seek Paradise by mentioning something that they are too shy and
modest to mention or speak about themselves? So He has simply hinted at it, as in
the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire
[Fussilat 41:31-32]
The description of al-hoor al-‘iyn is mentioned in more than one place in the Book of
Allaah, such as the following:

1 – Allaah says, describing the reward of the people of Paradise (interpretation of the
meaning):
“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes (as wives for Al-
Muttaqoon – the pious).
23. Like unto preserved pearls”
[al-Waaqi’ah 56:22, 23]
al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him)said:
“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”. Al-Hawra’ is a woman
in whose eyes are lined with kohl, beautiful and bright. Al-‘iyn refers to beautiful and
huge eyes. The beauty of eyes in the female is one of the greatest signs of beauty.
are covered and protected from people’s eyes, the wind and the sun. Their colour is
one of the most beautiful of colours and they have no fault or blemish of any kind.
This is how al-hoor al-‘iyn are: they have no faults of blemishes of any kind, rather
they are beautiful in all ways.
Every time you gaze upon her, you see nothing but that which gladdens the heart.
End quote.
“(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral”
[al-Rahmaan 55:58]
al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Ibn Zayd said concerning the words “they are like rubies and coral” it is as if they are
rubies in their purity and like coral in their whiteness. So their purity is that of rubies
and their whiteness is that of pearls. End quote.
3 – Allaah says describing the women of Paradise, in Soorat al-Waaqi’ah
37. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”
[al-Waaqi’ah 56:35-37]
With regard to the word “loving (‘uruban)”, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, quoting from Ibn
‘Abbaas that it means: they are loving towards their husbands. It was narrated from
Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-‘urub are those who love their husbands and their husbands love
them.
With regard to the word “of equal age (atraaban)”, al-Dahhaak said, quoting from
Ibn ‘Abbaas, that it means: of the same age, thirty-three years.
Al-Saddi said: “atraaban” means that they are equal in temperament and they do not
resent or envy one another, i.e., they are not like hostile co-wives. End quote.
It was narrated that Mujaahid said concerning the verse “ Loving (their husbands
only), (and) of equal age”: i.e., those who are dear to their husbands.
“Therein (Gardens) will be Khairaatun-Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful]”
[al-Rahmaan 55:70]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
They are described as being fair and beautiful. The word khayraat (fair and good) is
derived from the word khayyarah, which refers to the woman who combines all good
qualities, both outward and inward, and whose physical appearance and attitude are
perfect. So they are good in attitude and fair of face.
“and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and
they will abide therein forever”
[al-Baqarah 2:25]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Allaah describes them as pure: “and they shall have therein Azwaajun
Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives)”, pure from menses, urine and the like
(stools) and all off-putting features that may exist in the women of this world. And
their hearts are pure from envy, annoyance of their husbands, meanness or wishing
for husbands other than them.
6 – Allaah describes them as refraining from looking at anyone except their husbands

“Wherein both will be Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their
glances, desiring none except their husbands]”
[al-Rahmaan 55:56]
“Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions”
[al-Rahmaan 55:72]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Allaah describes them as being “guarded in pavilions”, i.e., they are prevented from
making a display of themselves before anyone except their husbands. They are
guarded for their husbands and they do not go out of their houses, and they restrain
themselves for them and do not desire anyone else. And Allaah describes them as
“Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances”. This
description is more complete than the first, for one of them restrains her gaze and
focuses her love upon her husband, she is content with him and does not look
beyond him at anyone else.
This is a brief look at what has been said about them in the Qur’aan. In the Sunnah
there are descriptions of their beauty and fairness which defy the imagination, such
as the following:
1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first
group will enter Paradise looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those
who follow them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Their hearts will be
as one, and there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will have two
wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from
beneath the bone and flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014; Muslim, 2843.
The stunning beauty of the hoori is such that the marrow of her calves can be seen
from beneath her clothes, and a man will be able to see his face in the liver of one of
them, like a mirror because of the fineness of her skin and the purity of her colour.
2 – It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a woman from among
the people of Paradise were to look out over the earth, she would illuminate
everything that is in between them, and would fill everything that is in between
them with fragrance. And the scarf on her head is better than this world and
everything in it.”
If she were to show her face, it would shine between heaven and earth; how
beautiful is the light of her face and how beautiful the scent that is filling the space
between heaven and earth. As for her garments, the scarf that she places on her
head is better than the beauty of this world and all that is in it of delights and
pleasure and natural beauty and splendid palaces and other kinds of luxuries. Glory
be to their Creator, how great He is, and congratulations to the one for whom she is
and he is for her.
Secondly:
The situation of the believing woman in Paradise will be better than the situation of
the hoor al-‘iyn; she will be higher in status and more beautiful. Several ahaadeeth
and reports have been narrated concerning that, but none of them can be proven to
be sound. But if a righteous woman from among the people of this world enters
Paradise, then she will do so as a reward for her righteous deeds and as a honour
from Allaah to her for her religious commitment and righteousness. As for the hoori
who is one of the delights of Paradise, she has only been created in Paradise for the
sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his
righteous deeds. There is a great difference between one who enters Paradise as a
reward for her righteous deeds and the one who was created as a reward for one
who did righteous deeds. The former is a queen and a princess, and the latter, no
matter how beautiful she is, is undoubtedly lower in status than a queen, and she is
subject to the command of her believing master for whom Allaah created her as a
reward.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the
description of the hoor al-‘iyn include the women of this world?
He replied:
It seems to me that the women of this world will be better than the hoor al-‘iyn,
even in outward appearance, and Allaah knows best.
We ask Allaah the Almighty to give us the best of that which He gives to His believing
slaves.
And Allaah knows best.
173281: She is asking a number of questions about al-hoor al-‘iyn in Paradise
I know that the man goes to Paradise he will have two wives from among al-hoor al-
‘iyn in addition to his wives in this world. Which of them will be more beautiful – the
women of this world or al-hoor al-‘iyn? Who will the man be more inclined towards,
to the one who was his wife in this world or to al-hoor al-‘iyn? Will he meet these
wives on a daily basis, and who will the husband sleep with at night?

Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
It is proven in as-Saheehayn (Bukhaari 3033; Muslim 2835) from Abu Hurayrah, from
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “The first group to enter
Paradise will look like the moon when it is full, and those who come after them will
look like the most brilliant star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and there will
be no rancour or envy among them. Each man among them will have two wives al-
hoor al-‘iyn whose marrow can be seen beneath their bones and flesh.” This version
was narrated by al-Bukhaari.
The scholars have answered what some may think, that what is meant by this
hadeeth is that the blessings of the believer will be limited to two wives from among
al-hoor al-‘iyn, even though the hadeeths prove that there is more than that. Al-
Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: What is meant is that the
minimum that each of them will have is two wives. End quote from Fath al-Baari,
6/325
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Undoubtedly the believer
in Paradise will have more than two, because of the hadeeth of Abu Moosa al-Ash‘ari
in as-Saheehayn, who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be
upon him) said: “In Paradise the believer will have a tent made from a single
hollowed-out pearl, sixty miles high (or wide), in which the believer will have wives
and he will go around among them and they will not see one another.” ( Haadi al-
Arwaah, 1/504). End quote.
Secondly:
With regard to the differences between the women of this world and al-hoor al-‘iyn
in Paradise, in terms of status and beauty, the scholars differed concerning this issue
and there are two views. Some of them said that al-hoor al-‘iyn are superior, and
some of them said that the women of this world are superior. There are hadeeths and
reports concerning that, but none of them are saheeh; if there were any saheeh
reports, that would definitively settle the dispute on this matter.
What appears to be the case – and Allah knows best – is that the situation of the
believing woman in Paradise will be superior to that of al-hoor al-‘iyn, and she will be
higher in status and more beautiful. If a righteous woman from among the people of
this world enters Paradise, she will enter it as a reward for righteous deeds and as an
honour to her from Allah for her religious commitment and righteousness. As for the
hoori, who is one of the delights of Paradise, she was only created in Paradise for the
sake of someone else, and she is made as a reward for the believer for his righteous
deeds. There is a great difference between the one who enters Paradise as a reward
for her righteous deeds and the one who was created to be a reward for the man
who does righteous deeds. The former is like a queen with power and authority,
whereas the latter – no matter how great her status and beauty – is of a lesser status
than a queen; she is subject to her master, the believer for whom Allah created her
as a reward.
See: Tafseer al-Qurtubi (16/154); at-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa Umoor al-
Aakhirah (3/985)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Do the
descriptions of al-hoor al-‘iyn also include the women of this world?
He replied: What appears to be to be the case is that the women of this world will be
better than al-hoor al-‘iyn, even in terms of outward appearance. And Allah knows
best.
See: Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb
Thirdly:
With regard to the wives of a believer in this world meeting one another, the hadeeth
of Abu Moosa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) in as-Saheehayn indicates
that they will not see one another. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) said: “In Paradise the believer will have a tent made from a single
hollowed-out pearl, sixty miles high (or wide), in which the believer will have wives
and he will go around among them and they will not see one another.” According to
another report: “In each corner of it there will be a wife whom the others will not
see, and the believer will go around among them.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3243
and 4879) and Muslim (2838).
However what will benefit the questioner here is to know that one of the blessings
that Allah, may He be exalted, will bestow upon the people of Paradise is that He will
remove from them the resentment and envy that exists in the hearts of people in this
world, and He will take away from them the worries, sorrows and pain of this world,
for Paradise is the realm of everlasting pleasure which will never be spoiled by
anything.
Fourthly:
With regard to your question, “who will the husband sleep with at night?”, you
should understand – may Allah bless us and you with Paradise by His grace and
mercy – that in Paradise there will be no night or day, no sun or moon. Rather it will
be perpetual light and its people will be in eternal light, with some indications to
show the passage of time. It was said that they will know that from various lights; it
was also said that they will know morning and evening and the length of the night
from light that emanates from the Throne, and by the dropping of curtains and the
closing of doors.
See: Tafseer al-Baghawi (5/243); Tafseer al-Qurtubi (11/127); at-
Tadhkirah (3/1026); Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa by Ibn Taymiyah (4/312); Tafseer Ibn
Katheer (5/247)
Once you understand this, you will know that the man in Paradise will have the
enjoyment of his wives from this world and al-hoor al-‘iyn, in a manner that will
suffice him and give him everlasting and unceasing pleasure, and will also give his
wives joy and pleasure, without anything to spoil it, and with no end to the pleasure
and no tiredness or boredom.
We ask Allah the Almighty, the Lord of the mighty Throne, to enable us to reach His
Paradise and to bless us as He blessed His righteous slaves, and to forgive us.
Ameen.
For more information, please see question no. 60188.
Islam Q&A
193409: Do the words of Allah, “And full-breasted maidens of equal age (wa
kawaa‘ib atraaban)” describe the breasts of al-hoor al-‘iyn?
I have a question which has been bothering me a little bit on my view of islam,
regarding surah 78 verse 32-33. In english translation it says: (31) Gardens enclosed
and vineyards, (32) And full-breasted'' maidens of equal age.
What does this verse mean exactly?
Does it litterally mean that people in paradise will be given women with good looking
breast?
Doesnt feel good reading it in a relgious script.
I dont see why it has to be said anyway,it already says in the quran that men will get
married with good looking wives . Whats the point of pointing out the look of the
womens breast in paradise?

Praise be to Allah.
First of all, we thank you for getting in touch with our website and we hope that you
will find it useful and beneficial.
To answer your question, we would say that any critic of any text, whether it is a
sacred text or a work of human literature, must pay attention in his criticism to the
environment in which the text originally appeared, in terms of time, place, people
and circumstances. When the critic wants to develop a precise understanding of a
particular expression, he also has to closely examine the roots of that phrase in the
language in which it originally appeared, the various ways in which it is used, and
the meaning and general context for which it is used.
The fair-minded researcher is the one who always assumes that translation is not
able to transmit the meaning as intended, and the translation is not going to be able
to choose the right vocabulary that conveys all the shades of meaning carried in the
original words, on the basis of the environment in which the original words were
used. If he does not bear this in mind, he will not be able to reach the proper
understanding and correct conclusion.
Based on that, we say to you that with regard to the literal translation of the word
kawaa‘ib, it is the plural of the word kaa‘ib, which refers to a female with developing
breasts, as it says in Majmal al-Lughah, 1/787
Ibn Faaris (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Ka‘b comes from a sound root that is indicative of a thing beginning to develop and
emerge. From the same root comes the word ka‘b, which refers to the ankle, which is
the bone on the two sides of the lower leg where it meets the foot; and the
word Ka‘bah which refers to the House of Allah, may He be exalted; it is so called
because of its prominence and its square shape. A woman is described as kaa‘ib
when her breasts begin to develop. End quote from Maqaayees al-Lughah, 5/186.
See also al-Qaamoos al-Muheet, p. 131; Lisaan al-‘Arab, 1/719. This is the literal
meaning of the word in terms of linguistic roots.
But it is very inappropriate to limit one’s examination to the literal, dictionary
meaning of the roots of a word in any language; rather it is also essential to pay
attention to the context in which the speakers of that language themselves use a
word. Do you not see that the Arabs use the word al-haa’id (lit. menstruating) in
ways other than its literal meaning? Rather they may use this word to refer to an
adult woman who has reached the age when she begins to menstruate; they do not
mean that she has got her monthly period at that moment in time. For example, it is
proven from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of
any haa’id without a head cover.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 641. It is well known in
Islamic teachings that it is not valid for a woman to offer the prayer at the time of
her menses; rather it is forbidden for her to do that, according to scholarly
consensus, until her period ends and she purifies herself after that.
The one who understands this word according to its literal, dictionary meaning will
encounter this erroneous contradiction. But the one who understands it as it is used
by the Arabs, referring to an adult woman who has reached the age when she begins
to menstruate, even if she is not actually menstruating at the moment, will
understand the hadeeth properly and will understand the way in which the Arabs use
the word.
We may say something similar about describing a woman as kaa‘ib in Arabic; it is not
intended as an erotic, physical description of any part of the woman’s body, as much
as it is intended as a description of the girl in terms of the emergence of the signs of
femininity in her, as an indication of her young age and youthfulness, so that men
would be attracted to her. At this age the signs of femininity begin to appear in the
girl. The point of using this word is not to describe the size of the breasts or to note
their form or shape; rather the purpose is to highlight the woman’s youthfulness.
Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The woman is a tiflah (little girl) when she is small, waleedah when she begins to
walk, then a kaa‘ibwhen her breasts begin to appear, then a naahid when they
increase in size, then ma‘sar when she reaches the age of puberty, then khawd when
she reaches the age of a young woman.
End quote from Akhbaar an-Nisa’, p. 228.
It says in Sharh Ma‘aani Shi‘r al-Mutanabbi by Ibn al-Ifleeli (vol. 1, 2/270): A young
man is called shaabband a young woman is called kaa‘ib. End quote.
Imam az-Zajjaaj – who is one of the leading scholars of the Arabic language – says:
The phrase “wa kawaa‘ib atraaban (translated above as: And full-breasted maidens
of equal age)” means that they are all of the same age, which is the pinnacle of youth
and beauty.
End quote from Ma‘aani al-Qur’an wa I‘raabihi, 4/338
Look at how the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) explain this description,
kaa‘ib, as referring to one of the stages in a girl’s life; it is not intended as an erotic
description of her body, even though that may be the literal meaning.
This is exactly the same as the way in which the Arabs use the word haa’id to refer to
reaching the age of physical maturity; they do not mean that the woman is actually
menstruating.
There is further clear evidence in the fact that the Arabs use this word in both poetry
and prose in the context of describing a woman’s chastity and honourable nature,
not in the context of an erotic description aimed at provoking desire. When the Arab
poet describes a girl as kaa‘ib, he is not referring to her breasts or their size or
roundness; rather it is a description of any young girl, and this word is used in pure
and refined types of love poetry that are far removed from any sexual connotations.
ath-Tha‘labi said in al-Kashf wa’l-Bayaan (10/118):
Hence al-Maawardi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the
word kawaa‘ib in this verse: It refers to maidens or virgins. This was stated by ad-
Dahhaak.
End quote from an-Nukat wa’l-‘Uyoon, 6/188.
This report from ad-Dahhaak was narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir; ad-Durr al-Manthoor,
8/398
If you study the Holy Qur’an, you will always find metaphors using words that
eloquently convey subtle meanings, such as the verse in which Allah describes the
marital relationship (interpretation of the meaning):
“They are your garments and ye are their garments”
[al-Baqarah 2:187].
Other examples:
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves,
that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.
Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect”
[ar-Room 30:21]
“…or you have been in contact with women…”
[an-Nisa’ 4:43].
If you were to translate these phrases literally, the meaning would not be
understood, because the literal translation of the words libaas (garments), sakan
(repose) and lamas (touch, contact) does not convey what is meant. Rather the
context of the verses indicates that what is meant here is a metaphor that refers to
the reality of marital life, but from a spiritual point of view. But if you translate these
words into English in the sense of sexual intercourse, that may lead to thinking that
the Holy Qur’an speaks a great deal about physical desires and uses words that
directly refer to that, when that is not the case.
We are establishing this so that you will understand the importance of the critic
paying attention to Arabic usage of the word according to its context, and the
importance of paying attention to the gap that a literal translation may cause
between the real meaning and the literal meaning of the word.
After studying a number of translations of the meanings of the Holy Qur’an into
English it becomes clear that the translators differed in the ways in which they
rendered the meaning of this verse, “wa kawaa‘ib atraaban”; they fall into two
categories.
The first group gave the literal meaning of the word without paying attention to the
usage of this word in the context of referring to age. So the translation appeared in
the following wording which caused confusion to the questioner:
“And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age.”
It was translated in this manner by Dr. Taqiy ad-Deen al-Hilaali and Dr. Muhammad
Muhsin Khan, in the Translation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur’an, printed by
the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an (p. 811). This is a link to
their official site:
http://www.qurancomplex.org/Quran/Targama/Targama.asp?l=arb&t=eng&nSora
=78&nAya=31
It was translated in a similar manner by both Laleh Baktiar and Ibrahim Walk.
This is an imprecise translation, not only because it does not pay attention to what
we have discussed above of the intended meaning of the word kawaa‘ib, but also
because it does not pay attention to the dictionary meaning either. “Full-breasted” in
English is indicative of the size of a woman’s breasts and describes them as being
large and full, when in fact the literal, dictionary meaning of the word kaa‘ib is the
one whose breasts are beginning todevelop or have begun to appear, as quoted
above from Arabic dictionaries. This means that they have begun to appear and take
on the feminine form, not that they have become completely developed as is implied
by the word “full”.
Arthur J Arberry translated it as follows:
“and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age.”
Sarwar translated it in a similar manner:
“maidens with pears-shaped breasts who are of equal age”
Another translation says:
“and voluptuous women of equal age”.
All of these are translations a focus on the physical shape of the breasts. Describing
the breasts is being pear-shaped or voluptuous or swelling are phrases that are
imprecise and do not reflect the intended meaning of the Arabic phrases.
The second group paid attention to what we have mentioned above and translated
the meaning of the word kawaa‘ib according to the context in accordance with the
intended meaning, and not the unintended literal meaning. We will quote these
translations here, with the names of the translators, and we call upon translators to
correct their translations.
The best of them in our opinion is the translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali:
And youthful (companions), equals in age”

The other correct translations are as follows:
Marmaduke Pickthall: “And maidens for companions”
Abdullah Yusuf Ali: “Companions of equal age”
Muhammad Taqi Uthmani: “And buxom maidens of matching age”.
And Allah knows best.
243879: The description of the breasts of al-hoor al-‘iyn is a lie and is a

fabrication against the texts
I read on internet and Wikipedia regarding Houris large round breast'.The hadith
reference is Jami At Tirmidhi Vol 2 Pg 35-40.is this hadith authentic? Please clarify
me.
Praise be to Allah
There is nothing in the Qur’an or in the Sunnah that describes the physical shape of
the breasts of al-hoor al-‘iyn, either in Sunan at-Tirmidhi or Jaami‘ al-Tirmidhi or any
of the other books of Musnad.
The hadith that describes the breasts of al-hoor al-‘iyn as being large or round is
something that is most commonly propagated by the haters of Islam and fanatical
atheists, and the followers of false religions. In doing so they seek to make Islam
appear to be a religion of sex and desire, and as if the sublime and sacred texts –
namely the Qur’an and Sunnah – came to give detailed descriptions of women’s
bodies, seeking to provoke desire. All of that comes under the heading of falsehood
that is doomed to be defeated, and our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will
surely punish those who propagate it and spread it, on the Day of Judgement when
all people will be gathered for judgement.
The Holy Qur’an is a book of sublime values and principles, which instils in the hearts
of those who recite it and memorise it the best and noblest of manners and attitudes.
It even uses subtle metaphors that are very far removed from blatant descriptions,
when speaking of marital relationships and the shar‘i rulings concerning them. This
is something to which those who seek to cast aspersions upon the Qur’an pay no
attention, those whose hearts and minds are dominated by desires, so that their
minds cannot look at anything except through a lens of desire, and they do not seek
anything except ways of fulfilling desires.
Think about how beautiful these modest and refined metaphors are in the verses in
which Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning:
“They are Libaas (i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of
living with her), for you and you are the same for them”
[al-Baqarah 2:187]
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves,
that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.
Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect”
[ar-Room 30:21]
“or you have been in contact with women”
[an-Nisa’ 4:43].
In each of these cases, the Arab would understand the sublime nature of the marital
relationship and how the love and harmony between spouses should be.
The same is applicable with regard to what is mentioned about al-hoor al-‘iyn in the
Holy Qur’an, such as the verses in which Allah, may He be exalted, says
“Wherein both will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their husbands,
whom no man or jinn have touched before them.
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral”
[ar-Rahmaan 55:56-58]
“And (there will be) Houris (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the
pious),
Like unto preserved pearls”
[al-Waaqi‘ah 56:22-23].
All of these are descriptions of beauty, using the most refined words, likening them
to rubies, coral and pearls, which reminds the reader of the greatness of Allah’s
creation, far removed from any coarse description of women’s bodies, contrary to the
claims of those who have ulterior motives.
With regard to the verse which may be literally translated as (interpretation of the
meaning), “And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age” [an-Naba’
78:33], we have previously given a detailed answer with clear evidence, explaining
that in Arabic the word kawaa‘ib [which may be translated literally as “young full-
breasted”] is used to refer to one who is young in age only, far removed from giving
any description of the shape or size of the breast. Concerning that, you may refer to
the lengthy answer in question no. 193409.
Conclusion:
We consulted Sunan at-Tirmidhi and whatever else we could of the six books, and we
did not find in them a single hadith or a single report that speaks about the breasts
of al-hoor al-‘iyn being large. What is widespread on some English-language
websites attributing that to at-Tirmidhi is a distortion that has been transmitted
deliberately or otherwise from websites written by some promoters of falsehood who
said: “A houri is a girl of tender age, having large breasts which are round.”
Then they commented on that by saying: “At-Tirmizi, volume 2, pg 35-40.”
This is a blatant lie, because at-Tirmidhi did not narrate anything about women’s
breasts being large or round. Whoever is asking us to confirm that, let him bring the
text of the report, and not only mention the number of the volume or page,
fabricating falsehood against the Prophet’s Sunnah. Mentioning random numbers is
something that anyone can do. Rather what matters is that the numbers be in
accordance with real texts, and this is something that is not the case here.
And Allah knows best.
60188: Description of al-hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah
What is the description of al-hoor al-iyn as stated in the Qur'aan and Sunnah? If a
wife is righteous in this world, what will her form or attributes be in Paradise if
Allaah wills that she should enter Paradise?.
Firstly:
Pleasing the most Merciful and entering Paradise are the ultimate aim that believing
men and women should wish for. If a person departs this world having won the
pleasure of Allaah, then he will have the glad tidings of all that is good after that.
When he enters Paradise he will have delights and pleasures such as no eye has
seen, no ear has heard and it has not entered the mind of any man. He will have all
that he wishes for in the best ways. Everything that he asks for will be granted, and
everything that he longs for he will get. He will never find anything to upset or
disturb him, because he is in the care of the Most Merciful, as Allaah says
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have
(all) for which you ask.
32. An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[Fussilat 41:31-32]
One of the best things that people long for in the Hereafter is, for men, the women of
Paradise, namely al-hoor al-‘iyn, and for women there is an equivalent delight. By His
great wisdom, Allaah has not mentioned what the women will have as the equivalent
of al-hoor al-‘iyn for men, and that is due to modesty and shyness. How can He
encourage them to seek Paradise by mentioning something that they are too shy and
modest to mention or speak about themselves? So He has simply hinted at it, as in
the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire
[Fussilat 41:31-32]
The description of al-hoor al-‘iyn is mentioned in more than one place in the Book of
Allaah, such as the following:
1 – Allaah says, describing the reward of the people of Paradise (interpretation of the
meaning):
23. Like unto preserved pearls”
[al-Waaqi’ah 56:22, 23]
al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him)said:
“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”. Al-Hawra’ is a woman
in whose eyes are lined with kohl, beautiful and bright. Al-‘iyn refers to beautiful and
huge eyes. The beauty of eyes in the female is one of the greatest signs of beauty.
are covered and protected from people’s eyes, the wind and the sun. Their colour is
one of the most beautiful of colours and they have no fault or blemish of any kind.
This is how al-hoor al-‘iyn are: they have no faults of blemishes of any kind, rather
they are beautiful in all ways.
Every time you gaze upon her, you see nothing but that which gladdens the heart.
End quote.
“(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral”
[al-Rahmaan 55:58]
al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Ibn Zayd said concerning the words “they are like rubies and coral” it is as if they are
rubies in their purity and like coral in their whiteness. So their purity is that of rubies
and their whiteness is that of pearls. End quote.

3 – Allaah says describing the women of Paradise, in Soorat al-Waaqi’ah
37. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”
With regard to the word “loving (‘uruban)”, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, quoting from Ibn
‘Abbaas that it means: they are loving towards their husbands. It was narrated from
Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-‘urub are those who love their husbands and their husbands love
them.
With regard to the word “of equal age (atraaban)”, al-Dahhaak said, quoting from
Ibn ‘Abbaas, that it means: of the same age, thirty-three years.
Al-Saddi said: “atraaban” means that they are equal in temperament and they do not
resent or envy one another, i.e., they are not like hostile co-wives. End quote.
It was narrated that Mujaahid said concerning the verse “ Loving (their husbands
only), (and) of equal age”: i.e., those who are dear to their husbands.
“Therein (Gardens) will be Khairaatun-Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful]”
[al-Rahmaan 55:70]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
They are described as being fair and beautiful. The word khayraat (fair and good) is
derived from the word khayyarah, which refers to the woman who combines all good
qualities, both outward and inward, and whose physical appearance and attitude are
perfect. So they are good in attitude and fair of face.
“and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and
they will abide therein forever”
[al-Baqarah 2:25]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Allaah describes them as pure: “and they shall have therein Azwaajun
Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives)”, pure from menses, urine and the like
(stools) and all off-putting features that may exist in the women of this world. And
their hearts are pure from envy, annoyance of their husbands, meanness or wishing
for husbands other than them.
6 – Allaah describes them as refraining from looking at anyone except their husbands
“Wherein both will be Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their
glances, desiring none except their husbands]”
[al-Rahmaan 55:56]
“Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions”
[al-Rahmaan 55:72]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Allaah describes them as being “guarded in pavilions”, i.e., they are prevented from
making a display of themselves before anyone except their husbands. They are
guarded for their husbands and they do not go out of their houses, and they restrain
themselves for them and do not desire anyone else. And Allaah describes them as
“Qaasiraat-ut-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances”. This
description is more complete than the first, for one of them restrains her gaze and
focuses her love upon her husband, she is content with him and does not look
beyond him at anyone else.
This is a brief look at what has been said about them in the Qur’aan. In the Sunnah
there are descriptions of their beauty and fairness which defy the imagination, such
as the following:
1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first
group will enter Paradise looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those
who follow them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Their hearts will be
as one, and there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will have two
wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from
beneath the bone and flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014; Muslim, 2843.
The stunning beauty of the hoori is such that the marrow of her calves can be seen
from beneath her clothes, and a man will be able to see his face in the liver of one of
them, like a mirror because of the fineness of her skin and the purity of her colour.

2 – It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a woman from among
the people of Paradise were to look out over the earth, she would illuminate
everything that is in between them, and would fill everything that is in between
them with fragrance. And the scarf on her head is better than this world and
everything in it.”
If she were to show her face, it would shine between heaven and earth; how
beautiful is the light of her face and how beautiful the scent that is filling the space
between heaven and earth. As for her garments, the scarf that she places on her
head is better than the beauty of this world and all that is in it of delights and
pleasure and natural beauty and splendid palaces and other kinds of luxuries. Glory
be to their Creator, how great He is, and congratulations to the one for whom she is
and he is for her.
Secondly:
The situation of the believing woman in Paradise will be better than the situation of
the hoor al-‘iyn; she will be higher in status and more beautiful. Several ahaadeeth
and reports have been narrated concerning that, but none of them can be proven to
be sound. But if a righteous woman from among the people of this world enters
Paradise, then she will do so as a reward for her righteous deeds and as a honour
from Allaah to her for her religious commitment and righteousness. As for the hoori
who is one of the delights of Paradise, she has only been created in Paradise for the
sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his
righteous deeds. There is a great difference between one who enters Paradise as a
reward for her righteous deeds and the one who was created as a reward for one
who did righteous deeds. The former is a queen and a princess, and the latter, no
matter how beautiful she is, is undoubtedly lower in status than a queen, and she is
subject to the command of her believing master for whom Allaah created her as a
reward.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the
description of the hoor al-‘iyn include the women of this world?
He replied:
It seems to me that the women of this world will be better than the hoor al-‘iyn,
even in outward appearance, and Allaah knows best.
We ask Allaah the Almighty to give us the best of that which He gives to His believing
slaves.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
10053: Will men in Paradise have intercourse with al-hoor aliyn?
I'm wondering will the men from amongst the human race that enters paradise, will
they have sexual intercourse with the "HOURIS" women in the paradise .
Allaah has prepared for His believing slaves in Paradise that which no eye has seen,
no ear has heard and has never even crossed the minds of men, such that even the
person who has the least blessings in Paradise will think that he is the most blessed
among them. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The lowest of people in
status in Paradise will be a man whose face Allaah turns away from the Fire towards
Paradise, and shows him a tree giving shade. He will say, ‘O Lord, bring me closer to
that tree so that I may be in its shade… Then he will enter his house [in Paradise]
and his two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn will come in and will say to him, ‘Praise
be to Allaah who brought you to life for us and brought us to life for you.’ Then he
will say, ‘No one has been given what I have been given.’” (Narrated by Muslim, no.
275)
Among the blessings that Allaah has prepared for His slaves are al-hoor al-‘iyn.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So (it will be). And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely
eyes”
[al-Dhukhaan 44:54]
“They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry them
to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes
[al-Toor 52:20]
Al-hoor al-‘iyn are extremely beautiful, such that the marrow of their shins will be
visible from beneath their garments. Every man who enters Paradise will have two
wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn. Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Therein (Gardens) will be Khayraatun-Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful];
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions;
With whom no man or jinni has had Tamth [opening their hymens with sexual
intercourse] before them.

Reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses.”
[al-Rahmaan 55:70-76]
Like unto preserved pearls”
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first group will enter
Paradise looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those who follow
them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and
there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will have two wives from
among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from beneath the
bone and flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014)
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I heard
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘Going out
and coming back for the sake of Allaah is better than this world and all that is in it.
And a spot the size of the bow of one of you in Paradise – or a spot the size of his
whip – is better than this world and all that is in it. If a woman from among the
people of Paradise were to look at the people of this earth, she would light up all that
is in between them and fill it with fragrance. The veil on her head is better than this
world and all that is in it.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2587)
A man will have intercourse in Paradise with his wives from among al-hoor al-
‘iyn and his wives from among the people of this world, if they enter Paradise with
him. A man will be given the strength of a hundred men to eat, drink, feel desire and
have sexual intercourse. It was narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer in
Paradise will be given such and such strength for sexual intercourse.” He was asked,
“O Messenger of Allaah, will he really be able to do that?” He said, “He will be given
the strength of one hundred (men).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2459. He said, (it
is) saheeh ghareeb).
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man among the people of Paradise will be
given the strength of a hundred men for eating, drinking, desire and sexual
intercourse. A man among the Jews said, ‘The one who eats or drinks needs to
excrete!’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said
to him: ‘The excretion of any one of them will be in the form of sweat which comes
out through his skin, then his stomach will reduce in size again.’” (Narrated by
Ahmad, no. 18509; al-Daarimi, no. 2704)
The mufassireen said concerning the phrase “busy in joyful things” (Yaa-Seen 36:55
– interpretation of the meaning):
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood and Ibn ‘Abbaas (mayAllaah be pleased with them both),
and Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib, ‘Ikrimah, al-Hasan, Qutaadah, al-A’mash, Sulaymaan al-
Taymi and al-Oozaa’i said concerning the aayaah (interpretation of the meaning),
“Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things” [Yaa-Seen
36:55]
they said, (it means) they will be busy deflowering virgins. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah
be pleased with him) said, according to a report narrated from him, that “busy in
joyful things” means listening to stringed instruments. Abu Haatim said: he misheard
the phrase iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins) and thought it was samaa’ al-
awtaar (listening to stringed instruments). In fact the correct phrase is iftidaad al-
abkaar (deflowering virgins). (Ibn Katheer, 3/564)
With regard to children, the scholars differed as to whether children would be born
as a result of this intercourse or not. Some said that there would be children if the
man wants them, but the pregnancy and birth would take just one hour. Abu Sa’eed
al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If the believer wants a child in Paradise, the
pregnancy and delivery will take only an hour, then the child will be the age that the
man wants.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2487; al-Daarimi, no. 2712; Ahmad, no.
11339; Ibn Maajah, no. 4329). And Allaah knows best.
We ask Allaah to admit us to Paradise and to keep us far away from the Fire. May He
bless us with the highest Firdaws, for He is the One Who is Able to do that. Praise be
to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
THE HOOR AL AYN OF JANNAH PARADISE

Posted on July 15, 2011by YUSUF ISLAM
The hoors of jannah
“Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with
intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras”. [Noble Quran; Glossary;
Houris]
The Houris (hoors/hoor al-Ayn) have variously been described as being “chaste
females”, “restraining their glances”, “modest gaze”, “wide and beautiful/lovely eyes”,
“untouched / with hymen unbroken by sexual intercourse”, “like pearls”, “virgins”,
“voluptuous/full-breasted”, “with large, “non-menstruating/urinating/defecating
and childfree”, round breasts which are not inclined to hang”, “companions of equal
age”, “transparent to the marrow of their bones”, “eternally young”, “hairless” ,
“pure”, “beautiful”, “white”, “revirginating”, “splendid beauty”.
Now you can read some verses of the Holy Quran mentioning the attributes of Houris
(Hoor al-ayn/Hurs):
“And with them will be chaste females, restraining their glances (desiring none
except their husbands), with wide and beautiful eyes; (Delicate and pure) as if they
were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved.” [Sura As-Sâffât (37):40-48]
“And beside them will be chaste females (virgins) restraining their glances only for
their husbands, (and) of equal ages.” [Sura Sâd (38):52]
“So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide,
lovely eyes.” [Sura Ad-Dukhân (44):51-55]
“They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry
them to Houris (female, fair ones) with wide lovely eyes.” [Sura At-Tûr (52):20]
“Wherein both (gardens) will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their
husbands, whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with
sexual intercourse) before them. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you
both (jinns and men) deny? (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral.” [Sura Ar-
Rahmân (55):56-58]
“Therein (gardens) will be fair (wives) good and beautiful; …Houris (beautiful, fair
females) restrained in pavilions; …Whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened
their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them.” [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):70,72,74]
“And (there will be) Houris (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the
pious), Like unto preserved pearls.” [Sura Al-Wâqi’ah (56):22-23]
Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins;
Loving (their husbands only), equal in age. [Sura Al-Wâqi’ah (56):37-40]
And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age; [Sura An-Naba’ (78):33]
Now you can read some Hadiths regarding the attributes of Houris (Hur ul-
ayn/Hoors):
Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
“Houris (beautiful, fair females) restrained in pavilions
…With Whom no man or jinn “yatmithhunna” (has opened their hymens with sexual
intercourse) before them.” [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):72,74]
“The statement of Allah in above mentioned ayah, Beautiful fair females restrained in
pavilions. Narrated Qaisi, Allah’s Apostle said, ‘In Paradise there is a pavilion made
of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner there are wives (houris) who
will not see those in the other corners; and the believers (Muslims) will visit and
enjoy them.’” [Al-Bukhari vol.6:402 and prior p.374]
According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE) in his Holy Quranic commentary (Tafsir) of
the above mentioned Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72: “The Prophet Muhammad
was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where
there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives (houris), over which stands a dome
decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-
Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana’a [Yemen]’.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
The Prophet (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said, “If a houri looks down from her abode in heaven
onto the earth, the whole distance (space) shall be filled with light and fragrance. A
houri’s face is more radiant than a mirror, and one can see one’s image in her cheek.
The marrow of her shins is visible to the eyes.” [Mishkat, volume 3,pg 83-97]
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The first batch (of people) who will enter
Paradise will be (glittering) like the full moon, and the batch next to them will be
(glittering) like the most brilliant star in the sky. Their hearts will be as if the heart of
a single man, for they will have neither enmity nor jealousy amongst themselves;
everyone will have two wives from the houris, (who will be so beautiful, pure and
transparent that) the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the
bones and the flesh.” [Al-Bukhari vol.4, book 54, number 476]
Narrated Anas (R.A.): The Prophet (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said, “A single endeavor (of
fighting) in Allah’s Cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all the
world and whatever is in it. A place in Paradise as small as the bow or lash of one of
you is better than all the world and whatever is in it. And if a houri from Paradise
appeared to the people of the earth, she would fill the space between Heaven and the
Earth with light and pleasant scent and her head cover is better than the world and
whatever is in it.” [Al-Bukhari volume 4, book 52, number 53]
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The first group of people who will enter
Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon and those who will follow them, will
glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit,
or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell
like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers. Their wives will be houris. All
of them will look alike and will resemble their father Adam (in statute), sixty cubits
tall.” [Al-Bukhari vol.4, book 55, number 544]
The Prophet (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said: “A houri is a most beautiful young woman with a
transparent body. The marrow of her bones is visible like the interior lines of pearls
and rubies. She looks like red wine in a white glass. She is of white color, and free
from the routine physical disabilities of an ordinary woman such as menstruation,
menopause, urinal and offal discharge, child bearing and the related pollution. A
houri is a girl of tender age, having large breasts which are round (pointed), and not
inclined to dangle. Houris dwell in palaces of splendid surroundings.” [At-Tirmizi,
volume 2, pg 35-40]
In book by the great Imam Ghazzali: Ihya Uloom Ed-Din. Volume 4, Page-4.430;
“According to Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬the Hurs (Houris) of Paradise
will be pure women—free of menstruation, urine, stool, cough and children. The
Hurs will sing in Paradise on divine purity and praise—we are most beautiful Hurs
and we are for the honored husbands. Muhammad also said that an inmate of
Paradise will have the sexual strength of 70 men. Muhammad said, “An inmate of
Paradise will have 500 Hurs, 4,000 unmarried women and 8,000 widowed women.
Each of them will keep embracing him for the duration of his whole worldly life.”
Volume 4, Page-4.428 of the same book: The Prophet Muhammad (‫)صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬
said once to Jaber: “Shall I not give you the news of the windows of Paradise ? We
said: 0 Messenger of God give us that information. He said: Those are made of
emeralds and jewels. Their inner parts will be seen from their outer parts. Therein
there will be such enjoyments, amusements and joys as no eye has seen, no ear has
heard and no heart has conceived. I said: 0 Messenger of God, who will be the
owners of those windows? He said: Those who spread peace, give food, keep fasts,
pray at night when the people remain asleep. We asked: 0 Messenger of God, who
will be able to do that? He said: My people will be able to do that. I am saying it to
you. He who meets his brother, salutes him and replies to his salute,’ spreads peace;
and he who gives food to his wife and members of his family to their satisfaction
gives food. He, who keeps fast of Ramazan and three days every month, keeps fast as
it were for the whole year. He who prays Isha and Fajr in congregation prays as it
were the whole night when the people remain asleep. God says: The fine buildings in
Eden Paradise.’ The Prophet said regarding its meanings: These places are builts of
emeralds and jewels and in each building there will be 70 rooms of red colour and in
each room 70 sub-rooms of green colour and in each sub-room there will be one
throne and over each throne 70 beds of varied colours and on each bed a hoor al-ayn
(houri- a girl having wide lovely eyes with intense black irises). There will be 70
dining cloth in each room and 70 kinds of food in each dining cloth. There will be
seven girls in each room.Each believer will be given such strength in the morning as
he can cohabit with them”.
Abu ‘Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger ( ‫صلی ہللا علیہ‬
‫ )وسلم‬said: “Allah will not admit anyone in the Paradise but Allah, the Mighty and
glorious will marry him with 72 wives, two will be from virgin (houris) with big eyes
and 70 will be his inheritance from the people of the Hell-Fire*.” Every one of them
will have a pleasant vagina and he (the man) will have sexual organ that does not
bend down during sexual intercourse (perpetual erection).” [Ibn Majah, volume 5,
number 4337]
*Hashim b. Khalid (R.A.) says, ‘The words “out of his inheritance (due) from the
denizens of the Fire”, mean men who will enter the Fire (Hell) and the inmates of the
paradise will inherit their wives just as the Faroah’s wife (Asiah A.S.) will be
inherited (by the Muslims-believers).
Mention of the hope of maidens of paradise after martyrdom in Al-

Tabari vol.19 p.121; “Yet, by God, I feel happy for what we shall soon meet, for, by
God, if all there is between us and the maidens of Paradise (hur al-ayn/houri) is that
these people should come against us with their swords, then I want them to come
against us with their swords.”
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said
that: “Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of
the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah
(houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world.”
[Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari,
Tabarani and others]
Houris do not want wives to annoy their husbands, since the houris will also be the
spouses [i.e. wives] of the Muslim husbands in the afterlife; —”Mu’adh b. Jobal
(R.A.) reported that Allah’s Messenger (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said, ‘A woman does not
annoy her husband but his spouse from amongst the houris (maidens with wide eyes,
intensely white and deeply black irises) will say: Do not annoy him, may Allah ruin
you.” He is with you as a passing guest. Very soon, he will part with you and come to
us.’” [Ibn-i-Majah vol.3:2014 p.212]
Now from the above mentioned verses of Holy Quran and Hadiths we can summarize
the characteristics of Houris (Hoors/Hur al-ayn) as follows;
* A houri is a most beautiful young woman with a transparent body. The marrow of
her bones is visible like the interior lines of pearls and rubies. She looks like a red
wine in a white glass.
* She is of white color, and free from the routine physical disabilities of an ordinary
woman such as menstruation, menopause, urinal and offal discharge, child bearing
and the related pollution.
* She is a woman characterized by modesty and flexing glances; she never looks at
any man except her husband and feels grateful for being the wife of her husband.
* A houri is a young woman, free from odium and animosity. Besides, she knows the
meaning of love and has the ability to put it into practice.
* A houri is an immortal woman, who does not age. She speaks softly and does not
raise voice at her man; she is always reconciled with him. Having been brought up in
luxury, she is a luxury herself.
* A houri is a girl of tender age, having large rising breasts which are round, and not
inclined to dangle.
* Houris dwell in palaces of splendid surroundings.
* If a houri looks down from her abode in Heaven onto the earth, the whole distance
shall be filled with light and fragrance
* A houri’s face is more radiant than a mirror and one can see one’s image in her
cheek. The marrow of her shins is visible to the eyes.
* Every man who enters Paradise shall be given minimum seventy-two houris; no
matter at what age he had died, when he enters Paradise, he will become a thirty-
year-old and he will not age any further.
* Their glances, with big eyes (Of wonder and beauty)
* when a man turns his face away from her, she will become 70 times more beautiful
in his eyes
* if she were to spit in the salty water of the seven occeans, then all the seven occeans
would turn sweater than honey.
Also note that the Muslim women of this world will be superior to Houris
(Hoors/Hur al-ayn) in Paradise:
*Definition of Houris (hoors/hur al-ayn) from Noble Quran:

“Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with
intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras”. [Noble Quran; Glossary;
Houris]
So it is obvious that houris (hoor al-Ayn) will be different from the off-springs of the
Prophet Adam (A.S.), and as humans are the most superior creation of Allah (SWT)
so Muslim women are superior to houris just like we as humans are superior to
Jinns, Angels and all other creatures of Allah (SWT) that exist. So a hoori who is one
of the delights of Paradise, she has only been created in Paradise for the sake of
someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his righteous
deeds.
But for Muslim women, they themselves are from the off-springs of Adam and the
rewards of Paradise are created for them and on the contrary houris (hoors/hur al-
ayn) themselves are from the rewards of Paradise.
Therefore it is clear that Muslim women will not feel jealous of the houris (hoor al-
Ayn) as righteous women of this world will be much more superior and beautiful
than houris (hoor al-Ayn), in Jannah (Paradise). Thus the Muslim women of this
worldly life have superiority over houris (hoor al-Ayn) due to the acts of worship and
obedience that they performed in this world. Therefore, the believing (Muslim)
women will enter Paradise just like the believing men. If a Muslim woman had a
number of husbands, she, upon entering Paradise with them, would choose among
them the one with the best character and behavior.
The following two Hadiths confirms the fact stated above:
Umme Salamah (Radiahallahu Anha) narrates that she said to the Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) “O Rasûlullah, are the women of this
world superior or the hûrs (of Paradise)?” He replied, “The women of this world will
have superiority over the hûrs (houris) just as the outer lining of a garment has
superiority over the inner lining.” Umme Salamah R.A then asked, “O Rasûlullah,
what is the reason for this?” He answered, “Because they performed salâh, fasted,
and worshipped [Allah]. Allah will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies.
[The human women] will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and
yellow jewelry. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be
of gold. They will say, ‘We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die.
We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo
difficulty. We are the women who will stay and we will never leave. Listen, we are
happy women and we will never become sad. Glad tidings to those men for whom we
are and who are for us.’” [Tabrânî]
Al-Qurtubi said: Abu Bakr ibn al-Najjaad said: Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Shaakir
told us, ‘Ubayd ibn Ishaaq al-‘Attaar told us, Sinaan ibn Haaroon told us, from
Humayd from Anas that: Umm Habeebah the wife of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O Messenger of Allaah, if a woman had two
husbands in this life, then they all died and came together in Paradise, with which of
them would she be – the first or the last?” He said: “With the one whose attitude and
conduct with her was best, O Umm Habeebah; a good attitude brings one the best of
this world and the Hereafter.”[Al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa’l-Aakhirah,
2/278]
Imam Qurtubi in his “at-Tadhkirah fi-Ahwalil Mawta wa’l-Akhirah (in Remembrance

of the Affairs of the Dead and Doomsday)” and Ibn Kathir in his “al-Bidaya wa’n-
Nihaya (Kitabu’l-Fitan wa’l-Malahim) the Termination of the Afflictions and Fierce
Battles” tell the story of the songs of houri in heaven: “Houri will sing for their own
husbands, songs are so marvelous that every hearer will be so pleased. Houri will say:
“We are Houri who has not had a sin.” The women of this world will reply them
saying: “We are the fasters (who keep fast), and you are not, we are the prayers, but
you are not and we are the givers of charity but you are not.”
And there is another narration which is famous with the name “Hadith of Soor”
narrated from Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (‫)صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬
said that: “Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2
of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah
Now some people, mostly non-muslims still ask a question that: there will be
multiple wives or houris (hoor al-Ayn/hur ul-Ayn/hoors/hurs) in Islamic Paradise
for Muslim men then what is for Muslim women?
As stated in above mentioned Hadiths the situation of the believing woman in

Paradise will be better than the situation of the houris (hoor al-Ayn); she will be
higher in status and more beautiful. If a righteous woman from among the people of
this world enters Paradise, then she will do so as a reward for her righteous deeds
and as an honor from Allah to her for her religious commitment and righteousness.
As for the houri who is one of the delights of Paradise, is an immortal woman, who
does not age. She speaks softly and does not raise voice at her man; she is always
reconciled with him. Having been brought up in luxury, she is a luxury herself, she
has only been created in Paradise for the sake of someone else, and has been made
the reward for the believing man for his righteous deeds. There is a great difference
between one who enters Paradise as a reward for her righteous deeds and the one
who was created as a reward for one who did righteous deeds. The former is a queen
and a princess, and the latter, no matter how beautiful she is, is undoubtedly lower in
status than a queen, and she (houri) is subject to the command of her believing
master (man) for whom Allah created her as a reward.
The main reason why the Quran and Hadith are stressing the fact that men will get
Houris (Hoor al-Ayn) is because it more appealing to men than promising virgin men
to women. Men are more sexually active and therefore are facing a lot of difficulty
(especially in the teenage years) to remain chaste. There are a lot of temptations in
this world. That is why that Allah keeps promising these virgin girls to those that
remain patient and steadfast. That way, this motivates the unmarried men to remain
chaste and be patient because they know they have something better waiting for
them in the next life. As if they do not get it legally in the next life then they would get
it illegally in this life.
Now with all these proofs you can easily invalidate the argument made by some non-
muslims that women will not get any benefits out of the Islamic Paradise. The men
and women are equal in the sight of Allah (SWT) except for those whom are more
pious. Just because they’re equal doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same. They have
physical, mental and emotional differences. Men have superiority over women in
certain aspects such as physical strength, while women have more superiority over
men from a caring and nurturing perspective. In the same manner, like our
differences, they may have rewards that are different from one another, but that in
no way suggest inequality. For instance, if you want to reward your son for
something, perhaps you’ll let him play a video game for example, whereas if you want
to reward your daughter, perhaps you’ll let her invite her friend over, or buy her
something nice.
Therefore, men and women have different needs and wants so obviously rewards
would differ. But overall the rewards for both men and women will be equal (but not
same) as Allah (SWT) says in the following verses of the Holy Quran:
“And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a true believer in
the Oneness of Allâh (Muslim), such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice,
even to the size of a Naqîra (speck on the back of a datestone), will be done to them.”
[Surah An-Nisâ’ (4):194]
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true
believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world
with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a
reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the
Hereafter).” [Surah An-Nahl (16):97:]
Now following are some Hadiths mentioning the number of the Hoors (houris) that
Muslims will get in addition to the wives of this world in Paradise:
According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE) in his Holy Quranic commentary (Tafsir) of
the above Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72: “The Prophet Muhammad was heard
saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are
80,000 servants and 72 wives (houris), over which stands a dome decorated with
pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus
suburb] to Sana’a [Yemen]’.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
The Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said: “Every man who enters paradise shall
be given 72 (seventy-two) houris; no matter at what age he had died, when he is
admitted into paradise, he will become a thirty-year-old, and shall not age any
further. A man in paradise shall be given virility equal to that of one hundred men.”
[Tirmizi, vol. 2 states on page 138]
Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
“The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding
of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment
in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the
crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is
married to 72 wives of the maidens with large dark eyes (houris); and is made
intercessor for seventy of his relatives.” [Tirmidhi:Hadith number 1067; and Ibn
Majah]
In a book by the great Imam Ghazzali (R.A.): The Prophet Muhammad ( ‫صلی ہللا علیہ‬
‫ )وسلم‬said once to Jaber: “Shall I not give you the news of the windows of Paradise ?
We said: 0 Messenger of God give us that information. He said: Those are made of
emeralds and jewels. Their inner parts will be seen from their outer parts. Therein
there will be such enjoyments, amusements and joys as no eye has seen, no ear has
heard and no heart has conceived. I said: 0 Messenger of God, who will be the
owners of those windows? He said: Those who spread peace, give food, keep fasts,
pray at night when the people remain asleep. We asked: 0 Messenger of God, who
will be able to do that? He said: My people will be able to do that. I am saying it to
you. He who meets his brother, salutes him and replies to his salute,’ spreads peace;
and he who gives food to his wife and members of his family to their satisfaction
gives food. He, who keeps fast of Ramazan and three days every month, keeps fast as
it were for the whole year. He who prays Isha and Fajr in congregation prays as it
were the whole night when the people remain asleep. God says: The fine buildings in
Eden Paradise.’ The Prophet said regarding its meanings: These places are builts of
emeralds and jewels and in each building there will be 70 rooms of red colour and in
each room 70 sub-rooms of green colour and in each sub-room there will be one
throne and over each throne 70 beds of varied colours and on each bed a hoor al-ayn
(houri- a girl having wide lovely eyes with intense black irises). There will be 70
dining cloth in each room and 70 kinds of food in each dining cloth. There will be
seven girls in each room.Each believer will be given such strength in the morning as
he can cohabit with them”. [Ihya Uloom Ed-Din.Volume 4, Page-4.428]
*From above mentioned Hadith a simple calculation will show that each believer will
get 343,000 wives from houris (hur al-ayn) i.e: 70*70*70 = 343,000 houris/hoor al-
ayn.
Narrated from Abu Hurayra (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬was
asked: “O RasulAllah (‫ !)صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬Will we touch our wives in heaven? He ( ‫صلی ہللا‬
‫ )علیہ وسلم‬replied: A man will touch 100 virgins a day.” [Tabarani, al-Mucam as-Saghir
& Awsat]
Narrated from Anas (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said: “A
believer man will have 73 wives in heaven. We asked him (‫)صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬: Will he
able to do (i.e. have sex with all of them) this? And He (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬replied: He
will be given power of 100(men).” [Abu Na’eem Sifat al-Jannah]
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said
that: “Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of
the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah
Doubtless, a believer will have many houris (hoor al-ayn/hoors/hurs) in heaven
which are in addition to his wordly wives but exact number is not given.It implies
that the people of Paradise will have these wives according to their degree i.e: those
who are more pious will get more wives than others but as mentioned in the
following Hadiths:
Abu ‘Umama (R.A.) reported that Allah’s Messenger (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬said: “Allah will
not admit anyone in the Paradise but Allah, the Mighty and glorious will marry him
with 72 wives, two will be from virgin (houris/hoor al-ayn) with big eyes and seventy
will be his inheritance from the people of the Hell-Fire*.” Every one of them will have
a pleasant vagina and he (the man) will have sexual organ that does not bend down
during sexual intercourse (perpetual erection).” [Ibn Majah, vol.v, page 547: Hadis
number 4337]
*Hashim b. Khalid says, ‘The words “out of his inheritance (due) from the denizens
of the Fire” in above stated Hadith, mean men who will enter the Fire and the
inmates of the paradise will inherit their wives just as the Faroah’s wife (Aasiah R.A.)
will be inherited (by the believers).
The Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلی ہللا علیہ وسلم‬was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for
the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives,
over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as
the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana’a [Yemen]’.” [Tafsir Ibn
Kathir]
So that is the minimmum what every Muslim man in Paradise will get.
Another important aspect in Paradise is that: Not just the reward but the beauty of
the people of Paradise will also go on increasing with time as mentioned in the
following Hadith:
Narrated Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said, “In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every
Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes
and, consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness. They will then return
to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their
families will say to them: `We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty
and loveliness since leaving us.’ Thereupon they will reply: `we swear by Allah that
you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.”’ [Sahih
Muslim]
Bazaar, where everything will be available, free of cost. Similarly, people will gather
there for a time period equal to that of Jumu`ah (friday), as there will be no sun, nor
night and day. Another speciality of Jannah is that the beauty and charm of men and
women will go on increasing and so the love and affection between husbands and
wives will also keep on progressing and increasing. It will be just the opposite of what
happens here in this world.
One Important Note (Must Read):

Some Non-Muslims point out to verses in the Qur’an, which speak about how
Muslim men would be able to have sex with the Houris in paradise. Then they
exclaim that this is immorality or fornication. However, we must pay close attention
to what the Quran actually says…
“So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide,
lovely eyes.” [Surah Ad-Dukhân (44):54]
“But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds
of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow
(Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwâjun Mutahharatun
[purified mates or wives (having no menses, stools, urine, etc.)] and We shall admit
them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise).” [Sura An-Nisâ’ (4): 57]
The word used here is AZWAAJ. In Arabic, it means spouse. Notice, the key word,
SPOUSES. The houris (hoors/hurs) will be the wives of Muslim men in Paradise. If a
man has sex with his wife, is that fornication? No, of course not, she is his spouse. So,
if a man can legitimately have sex with his spouse here on earth, then why can’t a
man legitimately have sex with his spouse in paradise.
Having said that, the gretest reward for the Muslim believers, men and women, in
Jannah (Paradise) will be to view the Countenance (Apperance) of Allah (SWT). And
for the believers there will be nothing more delightful than looking at Him;
This is mentioned in the following Hadiths:
Imam Ahmad recorded from Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Messenger of Allah
recited, (the words meaning), “For those who have done good is the best and even
more.” [Sura Yunus, 26] He said, “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a
caller will say: `O people of Paradise, Allah has promised you something that He
wishes to fulfill.’ They will reply: `What is it Has He not made our Scale heavy Has
He not made our faces white and delivered us from Fire?’ He (the narrater) said:
“Allah will then remove the veil (from their eyes), and they will look at the
Countenance (Appearance) of Allah, the Mighty, the Majestic.” He said, “By Allah,
they have not been given anything dearer to them and more delightful than looking
at Him.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Muslim]
Narrated Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Apostle of Allah said: “When those
deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask:
Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Has You not brightened
our faces? Has You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the
narrator) said: He (God) would lift the veil (from their eyes), and of things given to
them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and
the Glorious.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 0347]
Doubtless we, the Muslim, men and women, are promissed to have what we want in
Paradise (Jannah);
“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have
(all) for which you ask for.” [Sura Fussilat 41:31-32]
“They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of
Muhsinûn (pious-good doers).” [Az-Zumar (39);34]
Therefore in Paradise a Muslim, wether male or female, will have every thing that
they wish for and they will abide therein forever. So we should strive for this absolute
success by doing good and righteous deeds. There are a lot of temptations in this
world (mostly created by satan) from which we have to seek refuge with Allâh alone
and fear Allâh much and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has
forbidden. And for that matter we have put our trust completely in Allah (SWT).
“Verily! he (satan) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in
their Lord (Allâh).”
“His (satan’s) power is only over those who obey and follow him (satan), and those
who join partners with Him (Allâh) [i.e. those who are Mushrikûn-polytheists].”
[Sura An-Nahl (16);99,100]
“ALLAH KNOWS BEST”
This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return Gardens of
perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them Reclining within them, they
will call therein for abundant fruit and drink ْ‫َهم‬ ُ ‫عند‬
ِ ‫ َو‬And near them will be ‫َات‬ ِ ‫َقا‬
ُْ ‫صر‬
َ
ْ‫ف أترَاب‬ َّ
ِْ ‫ الطر‬And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.
This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account ‫ن‬ َّْ ِ‫ إ‬Indeed, ‫ه َذا‬َ َٰ
this is ‫ لَ ِرز ُقنَا‬Our provision; for it there is no depletion 38:49 to 54
In the above verse what is promised to the righteous is gardens of perpetual

residence, fruit and drink and women of equal age limiting their glances. But really
did Allah promise to the righteous that they will be provided with fair women of
equal age in the paradise?
But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds – We will admit them to gardens
beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of
Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement. (An-Nisaa:
122)
َ‫ َو َعد‬Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath
which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of
perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater. It is that which is the great
attainment. (At-Tawba: 72)
The example of Paradise, which the righteous have been َ‫ ُو ِعد‬promised, is [that]
beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for
the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire. (Ar-Ra’d: 35
But those who have feared their Lord – for them are chambers, above them
chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allah. Allah
does not fail in [His] promise. (Az-Zumar: 20)
Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook
their misdeeds, [their being] among the companions of Paradise. [That is] the
promise of truth which they had been promised. (Al-Ahqaf: 16)
Is the description of Paradise, which the righteous are َ‫ ُو ِعد‬promised, wherein are
rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of
wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will
have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord, like [that of] those
who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever
their intestines? (Muhammad: 15)
Not even once did Allah promise the righteous that they will be provided with women
of equal age in the paradise and what is provided in the paradise to the righteous is
fully described in verse 76:5 to 21
At the end of the verse Allah said “‫ ِإن‬Indeed, ‫ َٰ َهذَا‬this is ‫ لَ ِر ْزقُنَا‬Our provision; for it there
is no depletion”.
How many fools/insane are in this world to accept/believe that women of equal age
are PROVISIONS of Allah and there will no shortage in the provisions of Allah
including women of equal age.
So ‫وراتٌ فِي ْال ِخیَ ِام‬

َ ‫ص‬ ٌ ‫ ُح‬/ ‫ب أَتْ َرابًا‬
ُ ‫ور م ْق‬ ٌ ‫ف ِع‬
َ ‫ َوك ََوا ِع‬/‫ین‬ ِ ‫ َق‬/ ‫ف‬
ِ ‫اص َراتُ الط ْر‬ ِ ‫ َق‬/ ٌ‫ف أَتْ َراب‬
ِ ‫اص َراتُ الط ْر‬ ِ َ‫ق‬
ِ ‫اص َراتُ الط ْر‬
ٌ ‫س‬
‫ان‬ ‫ح‬
َ ِ ٌ‫ات‬ ‫ْر‬ َ ‫ی‬‫خ‬َ are nothing but descriptions of the provisions of the paradise.
Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of Kafur, A
spring of which the [righteous] servants of Allah will drink; they will make it gush
forth in force [and abundance] They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a
Day whose evil will be widespread And they give food in spite of love for it to the
needy, the orphan, and the captive [Saying], “We feed you only for the countenance
of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude Indeed, We fear from our Lord a
Day austere and distressful So Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and
give them radiance and happiness And will reward them for what they patiently
endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments] [They will be] reclining
therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing]
cold And near above them are its shades, and its [fruit] to be picked will be lowered
in compliance And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups
having been [created] clear [as glass] Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they
have determined the measure And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose
mixture is of ginger [From] a fountain within Paradise named Salsabeel There will
circulate among them ‫ان‬ٌ َ‫ ِو ْلد‬young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would
think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls And when you look there [in Paradise],
you will see pleasure and great dominion. Upon the inhabitants will be green
garments of fine silk and brocade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver,
and their Lord will give them a purifying drink 76:5 to 21
A full description of the righteous in the paradise with their provisions and their
attires and the service they will get therein. There is no description of any HURs in
the paradise which is a fantasy of those who corrupted the Quran translation.
Meaning of the word “Hur”:
“The word hur is the plural of ahwar (applicable to man) and of haura (applicable to
woman) and signifies a person having eyes characterized by hauar a special quality
bestowed upon a good soul, male or female in paradise and it denotes the intense
whiteness of the white part of the spiritual eye.
The Qur’an describes in several other verses that in paradise you will have azwaj
which mean a pair or spouse or companion which means you will have spouses or
companions pure and holy (mutaharratun means pure, holy).”
Qur’an – 2:25 “But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness,
that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with
fruits therefrom, they say: “Why, this is what we were fed with before”, for they are
given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure; and they abide
therein (forever)”.
Qur’an – 4:57 “But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon
admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath – their eternal home; therein shall
they have companions pure and holy: we shall admit them to shades, cool and ever
deepening”.
Therefore the word hoor has no specific gender. Mohammad Asad has translated the
word hoor as spouse and Abdullah Yusuf Ali as companion. Therefore according to
some scholars a man in paradise will have a hoor that is a beautiful maiden with
beautiful big and lustrous eyes and a woman in paradise will get a man with beautiful
big and lustrous eyes. This is how Dr Zakir Naik described it.
“Companions reserved, in goodly pavilions.” – 55:72.
According to many men this verse is about females who will only look at their
“worldly husbands” because characteristics of being reserved and modest are
feminine traits. Do these men therefore also believe the Prophets were immodest
men if modesty is only a “feminine” trait?
It’s amazing how anyone can think that a man having 70 wives as inheritance from
Hell plus 72 wives from “hoors” is justice, only because “jealousy will be removed”. In
the same way, men’s lustful wants could be removed too. How would a man feel to be
one out of 142 as a woman’s husband? Wouldn’t they be jealous? However, it seems
that they are already quite jealous at the thoughts of their wives receiving according
to their wishes too.
Men and women, equal or not:
“And their Lord responded to them, “Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any]
worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another.” 3:195
“Verily for all men and women who have surrendered themselves unto God, and all
believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout
women, and all men and women who are true to their word, and all men and women
who are patient in adversity, and all men and women who humble themselves before
God, and all men and women who give in charity, and all self-denying men and self-
denying women, and all men and women who are mindful of their chastity, and all
men and women who remember God unceasingly: for all of them has God readied
forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward.” (33:35)
In Allah’s Qur’an:
Qur’an – 25:16 “For them therein is whatever they wish, abiding eternally. It is ever
upon your Lord a promise requested.”
Qur’an – 50:35 “There will be for them therein all that they wish, – and more besides
in Our Presence.”
Qur’an – 39:34 “They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the
reward of the doers of good –“
(See also, 16:31, 21:102, 36:57, 43:71)
The meaning of Jannah has totally been twisted. If you can’t have what you want in
Jannah then when can you? Why would you be tied down to someone or anything in
a place that will be your Eternal Home?
Everyone’s desires and wants our different. Men will not be rewarded at the expense
of women’s rewards. Both will receive their rewards according to their own desires.
Men will not have a say in what their former worldly wives or other women want or
will receive. God and His promises are for all righteous people, not only men.
It’s sad how this even needs to be explained. The main concern should be getting to
Jannah and gaining the biggest reward of meeting Allah SWT. It’s disconcerting how
men feel the need to assert their supposed “superiority” over women. They have the
nerve to promote the sick idea that their wives will be their property in Jannah along
with a hoard of other women.
Isn’t it mind blowing that some Muslim men just do not agree that all delights of
paradise are equally for men and women? That women will also have what their
hearts desire? We should enlighten and pray for such men to be guided by Allah
SWT.
And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and is a believer, such will
enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date-stone. – Qur’an –
4:124.

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What are the descriptions of al-hoor al-'iyn mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah?

What are the descriptions of al-hoor al-'iyn mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah?

What are some of the characteristics of al-hoor al-'iyn described in the passage?

What are some of the characteristics of al-hoor al-'iyn described in the passage?

Description of hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah

I. Description of al-hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah

Al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

4 – Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the meaning):

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

5 – Allaah describes them as pure, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions” [al-Rahmaan 55:72]

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

60188: Description of al-hoor al-‘iyn in the Qur’aan and Sunnah

Allaah wills that she should enter Paradise?.

Published Date: 2005-08-26

(interpretation of the meaning):

(all) for which you ask.

32. An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

modest to mention or speak about themselves? So He has simply hinted at it, as in

the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire

Allaah, such as the following:

Muttaqoon – the pious).

23. Like unto preserved pearls”

[al-Waaqi’ah 56:22, 23]

al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him)said:

they are beautiful in all ways.

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 991

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral”

al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

and their whiteness is that of pearls. End quote.

Tafseer al-Tabari, 27/152

3 – Allaah says describing the women of Paradise, in Soorat al-Waaqi’ah

(interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.

36. And made them virgins.

37. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Ibn ‘Abbaas, that it means: of the same age, thirty-three years.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/294

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

4 – Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein (Gardens) will be Khairaatun-Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful]”

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

perfect. So they are good in attitude and fair of face.

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243.

5 – Allaah describes them as pure, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

they will abide therein forever”

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

for husbands other than them.

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243, 244

(interpretation of the meaning):

glances, desiring none except their husbands]”