72 Virgins
The concept of the 72 virgins is derived from a passage in the Quran that describes the rewards awaiting believers in paradise. The passage in question reads:
📖Quran 78:31-34
Verily, for the righteous, there will be a fulfillment of (the heart’s) desires; Gardens enclosed, and grapevines; And voluptuous women of equal age; And a cup full (to the brim) of wine.
📖Quran 37:45-47
There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring, White and delicious to the drinkers; No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.
- The concept of 72 virgins is not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an but is derived from Hadith (the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) and other religious texts, including the Vedas. It is also important to note that in the Qur’an, the term “wine” is used in a non-alcoholic context. While wine in the worldly sense can refer to both alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic juices (such as grape or fruit juices), the wine described in the heavenly realm transcends human understanding. It is depicted as a pure, non-intoxicating drink, free from any harmful effects. The wine in Heaven, as mentioned in the Qur’an, does not cause intoxication.
Each Muslim will have 72 Virgins in Paradise?
There is no verse in the Quran or sahih hadith that says each Muslim will have 72 wives in heaven, but there is a weak hadith about it. However, what is proven in the sahih hadith is that the martyr will have 72 virgins.
📖Tirmidhi 1663
Narrated Al-Miqdam bin Ma’diykarib:
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are six things with Allah for the martyr. He is forgiven with the first flow of blood (he suffers), he is shown his place in Paradise, he is protected from punishment in the grave, secured from the greatest terror, the crown of dignity is placed upon his head – and its gems are better than the world and what is in it – he is married to seventy two wives along Al-Huril-‘Ayn of Paradise, and he may intercede for seventy of his close relatives.” [Abu ‘Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.
📖Sunan Ibn Majah 2799
It was narrated from Miqdam bin Ma’dikarib that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The martyr has six things (in store) with Allah: He is forgiven from the first drop of his blood that is shed; he is shown his place in Paradise; he is spared the torment of the grave; he is kept safe from the Great Fright; he is adorned with a garment of faith; he is married to (wives) from among the wide-eyed houris; and he is permitted to intercede for seventy of his relatives.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 3245
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The first group (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the moon when it is full. They will not spit or blow their noses or relieve nature. Their utensils will be of gold and their combs of gold and silver; in their centers the aloe wood will be used, and their sweat will smell like musk. Everyone of them will have two wives; the marrow of the bones of the wives’ legs will be seen through the flesh out of excessive beauty. They ( i.e. the people of Paradise) will neither have differences nor hatred amongst themselves; their hearts will be as if one heart and they will be glorifying Allah in the morning and in the evening.
What is Martyr in Islamic Sources
A martyr is a person who speaks out against injustice and fights against those who do wrong in society. If they are killed for their beliefs or actions, they are considered a martyr. A martyr may also be someone who spreads Islamic teachings to others and is killed for it. Additionally, if someone comes to destroy a society or a home and the family or society members try to protect themselves from the attackers and die in the process, they are also considered martyrs. Furthermore, if a person who believes in Allah suffers and dies due to a natural disaster like an earthquake, they are also considered a martyr.
Here are some verses from Quran:
📖Quran 4:75
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?
📖Quran 22:27
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.
📖Quran 2:190
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.
Islam forbids killings of innocent people:
📖Quran 25:68-69
Sahih International
And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty, Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated.
📖Quran 5:32
Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.
📖Quran 6:151
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Come! Let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate others with Him ˹in worship˺. ˹Do not fail to˺ honour your parents. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for you and for them. Do not come near indecencies, openly or secretly. Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right. (For example, in retaliation for intentional killing through legal channels.) This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will understand.
Islamic Beliefs on Rewards
In Islam, it is also believed that every person will be rewarded for their good deeds in the afterlife. The nature and extent of these rewards may vary based on a person’s actions and intentions in this life. Regarding the concept of a “wife in heaven”, it is believed that those who enter Paradise will be granted whatever they desire, including companionship with their loved ones. However, it is important to note that this reward is not reserved only for men or based solely on gender, but rather on a person’s deeds and faith, Additionally, these rewards are based on choice, not compulsion—they are offered as blessings in Jannah, but if someone does not like or want something, it is completely up to them. Allah guarantees that everyone will have exactly what brings them happiness.
📖 Qur’an (Surah Fussilat 41:31-32)
“You will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have whatever you ask for, as hospitality from the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
📌 This means that people in Jannah will have complete freedom in choosing their rewards, ensuring their perfect happiness.
Question 1:
If someone in Jannah still says, “I want to see a specific person in Hell,” will their request be granted?
Answer:
No, because in Jannah, people will only desire what is pure and good, and any negative or unjust thoughts will be removed from their hearts. Even if they wanted this in the world, by the time they enter Jannah, their mindset will be completely changed.
📖Qur’an (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:71)
There will be whatever the souls desire and [whatever] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.”
📌 This means that in Jannah, people will not desire things that go against justice, mercy, or the wisdom of Allah. Instead, they will only wish for what truly brings eternal happiness and peace.
Even if someone had hatred in their heart before, Allah has already said:
📖Qur’an (Surah Al-Hijr 15:47)
And We will remove whatever is in their hearts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, facing each other on thrones.”
📌 Since Allah purifies the hearts of the people of Jannah, they will not have any remaining grudges, hatred, or unjust desires. Therefore, no one in Jannah will ask for something that contradicts the mercy and justice of Allah.
Question 2:
If someone in Jannah says, “I want to be God,” will their request be granted since the Qur’an says, “You will have whatever you ask for”?
Answer:
No, because the choices in Jannah are within the limits set by Allah. No one can ask for something impossible or against Allah’s divine authority. In Jannah, people will not have evil or arrogant desires, and they will not ask for things that contradict Allah’s perfection and oneness.
📖Qur’an (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:23)
He (Allah) is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.”
What about the reward for women
📖Quran 76:19
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would think them as beautiful as scattered pearls.
- It’s important to note that verse (76:19) has various interpretations. One of the most widely accepted interpretations is that the promise of rewards in paradise, including the young boys described in the verse, is specifically for women who may have died before marriage or without fulfilling certain desires in this world. This is seen as a divine reward for their patience and faith. The ultimate reward in paradise is personalized, meaning that women will be granted whatever they desire, within the limits set by Allah. These limits are in accordance with divine wisdom and are described in the Qur’an. Thus, each believer, male or female, will receive rewards that cater to their unique wishes and needs, with the understanding that Allah’s blessings are beyond human comprehension and tailored to the desires of the faithful.
📖Quran 25:16
For them therein is whatever they wish, abiding eternally, a promise binding upon your Lord that must be fulfilled.
📖Qur’an 43:70
Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, in happiness.”
📖Quran 4:7
For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned.
Why There May Be a Spouse in Heaven
There are many reasons why there may be a spouse in Jannah (Paradise). In this world, we have free will, yet most people disobey God, even though He has given us the ability to choose between right and wrong. Allah allows us to live within the balance of free will and predestination, so we are responsible for our choices while knowing that Allah’s justice will ultimately prevail, One example of injustice in this world is how society creates class divisions between the rich and the poor. Many people do not receive justice, and their desires are blocked due to man-made traditions and discrimination.
🔹 Example:
- A person may want to marry someone, but their wealthy family rejects the proposal based on social status.
- This is unjust, but Allah is Al-‘Adl (The Most Just), and He will fulfill the wishes of all believers in the afterlife.
- Whether someone faced happiness or suffering in this world, Allah will give them perfect justice in Jannah.
Rewards in Jannah Are Based on Choice, Not Compulsion
Allah has already informed us through the Qur’an and Hadith about what exists in Jannah, including spouses, rewards, and eternal happiness. However, these rewards are not imposed—they are based on:
- Deeds – What a person has done in their life.
- Personal Choice – What a person desires in a pure heart, free from negative emotions.
📖Qur’an (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:71)
“There will be whatever the souls desire and [whatever] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.”
🔹 Example to Understand This:
- Imagine if someone says, “If you do this task, I will give you one laptop, one mobile, one cat, and one dollar.”
- After completing the task, the person has the choice to accept the gift or say, “I don’t need these things.”
- Similarly, in Jannah, if a person is happy with their spouse, they do not have to ask for more. However, no one in Jannah will say, “I don’t want my spouse,” because only pure souls will enter Jannah with purified hearts. No one will feel resentment, jealousy, or hatred.
📖Qur’an (Surah Al-Hijr 15:47)
“And We will remove whatever is in their hearts of resentment –
📖Qur’an (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21)
“And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you love and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reflect.”
As Jannah is a place of pure happiness, only true believers with purified hearts will enter, while hypocrites and disbelievers will not be granted Paradise.
📖Qur’an (Surah At-Tawbah 9:68)
“Allah has promised the hypocrites, men and women, and the disbelievers the Fire of Hell, wherein they will abide forever. It will be sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment.”
This means that in Jannah, people will not have any negative emotions or desires that contradict their happiness. Instead, they will have only pure love and contentment, as Allah has placed love and mercy between spouses. No one will reject their spouse or feel unhappy, because Jannah is a place of perfect joy, free from any worldly flaws.
Heavenly Rewards for Pauline Christianity
📖Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
What Does “A Hundred Times as Much” Mean in Matthew 19:29?
📖Matthew 19:29 (Bible)
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
1. Context of the Verse
- This verse is spoken by Jesus (according to the Gospel of Matthew) in response to Peter’s question about what the disciples will gain for following him.
- Jesus tells them that those who sacrifice worldly things for his sake will be rewarded abundantly in the afterlife.
- Matthew 19:29 promises believers a hundredfold reward, which logically includes houses, families, and even wives.
2. The Contradiction:
Matthew 22:30
says there will be no marriage in heaven, meaning no spouses or family life.
If believers “will be like angels”, then how can they receive a hundredfold reward?
📌 This is an internal contradiction in Christian theology. If there is no marriage, no family, and no physical possessions in Heaven, then what exactly is the “hundredfold” reward that Jesus promised?
1. The Hundredfold Reward in Matthew 19:29
📖 Matthew 19:29
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
🔹 Jesus promises a hundredfold reward to those who sacrifice worldly things for him.
🔹 This includes houses, family members, and fields—all of which are material or social blessings.
🔹 However, Christians believe that Heaven is purely spiritual and that believers will be “like angels” (Matthew 22:30), without marriage, family, or physical needs.
📌 This creates a contradiction: If Heaven has no physical or family relationships, how can believers receive “a hundredfold” of these things?
📖John 14:2
“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
🔹Christians interpret this verse as Jesus promising his followers a place in Heaven.
🔹The term “mansions” (or “rooms”) symbolizes different levels of reward based on faith and deeds.
🔹This idea is similar to the Islamic belief in different levels of Jannah.📌 But this verse raises a contradiction:
- If believers will be “like angels” (Matthew 22:30), why do they need mansions or rooms?
- Angels do not need homes, families, or physical spaces, so why would Jesus prepare places for them?
The Injustice of “Becoming Like Angels” in Heaven
📌 Christianity teaches that believers in Heaven will be “like angels” (Matthew 22:30), meaning they will no longer have human needs like marriage, family, or material pleasures. This creates a major injustice because their sacrifices in this world are not rewarded in a meaningful way.
🔹Here are strong logical examples to explain why this belief is unfair:
1. The Worker Who Never Gets Paid
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🔹 Imagine a worker who works 12 hours a day for 50 years, expecting to receive gold and wealth as his final reward.
🔹 When he retires, instead of gold, his boss tells him:“Congratulations! You have now evolved beyond the need for wealth, so you get nothing.”
🔹 The worker sacrificed everything but got no meaningful reward.📌 This is exactly what happens if believers sacrifice their lives but end up in a Heaven where their desires no longer exist.
2. The Worker Who Never Gets Paid
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🔹 Imagine a starving man who is promised a feast if he completes a long and painful journey.
🔹 After struggling and suffering for days, he finally arrives—only to be told:“Congratulations! You no longer need food, so you get nothing.”
🔹 His entire sacrifice becomes meaningless because what he worked for is no longer relevant.📌 This is like believers being promised rewards, but then being turned into angel-like beings who have no need for them.
3. The Athlete Who Trains for a Race That Doesn’t Exist
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🔹 Imagine an athlete who trains for 20 years, suffering through pain, injuries, and sacrifice to win a championship.
🔹 On the day of the final race, the judges say:“You trained so hard that you have now transcended the need for racing. There is no competition anymore.”
🔹 The athlete feels betrayed because everything he worked for is taken away.📌 This is like believers sacrificing worldly pleasures, expecting rewards, only to be told they no longer need them.
4. The Student Who Studies for a Degree That Disappears
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🔹 Imagine a student who spends 20 years studying and struggling, expecting to receive a prestigious degree.
🔹 On graduation day, the university tells him:“You have worked so hard that you are now beyond the need for a degree, so we are giving you nothing.”
🔹 The student’s effort was wasted because the reward is no longer relevant.📌 This is like believers striving for Heaven but being turned into angels who no longer have human needs.
5. The Man Who Builds a House But Becomes a Bird
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🔹 Imagine someone spends their entire life working hard to build a luxurious mansion for retirement.
🔹 After decades of effort, the moment he finishes, he is turned into a bird that doesn’t need a house.
🔹 His hard work was meaningless because he can no longer use what he built.📌 This is like believers being promised rewards in Heaven but losing their ability to enjoy them.
6. The Farmer Who Harvests But Can’t Eat
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🔹 Imagine a farmer who spends his entire life growing crops, expecting to enjoy the harvest.
🔹 When the crops are finally ready, he is told:“You have now transcended hunger, so you can’t eat them.”
🔹 His entire life’s work becomes pointless.📌 This is exactly what happens when Christians believe they will be “like angels” and lose their ability to enjoy rewards.