Seven Heavens in Islam – Levels – Criteria

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Heaven (Jannah) is a place in the afterlife filled with all sorts of comfort and pleasures. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala made this place for his pious servants. Heaven is the ultimate goal for mankind after the end of the world. Many people are trying to be the inhabitants of heaven because Allah promises the pleasure and enjoyment of the inhabitants that they can not get them while in the world.

Of course, heaven is a gift to Allah’s servants who believe and always obey Him. Every human would want to go to heaven and do not want to go to hell. Therefore, we need to do good deeds as much as possible and follow Allah’s instruction because they are the key to enter heaven.

“And those who believed and did righteous deeds, those (are the) companions (of) Paradise; they in it (will) abide forever.” (Al-Baqarah 2:82)

“Race to (the) forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden its width (is) like (the) width (of) the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. That (is the) Bounty (of) Allah, He gives (to) whom He wills. And Allah (is) the Possessor of Bounty, the Great.” (Al-Hadid 57:21)

There are seven level of heavens in Islam which are presented below.

1. Firdaus Heaven (Paradise)

It is the highest and most exalted heaven reserved for those who do not associate partners with Allah for anything, guard against any prohibited activity, and practice what Allah and His Apostle command. The privilege of Firdaus heaven is the inhabitants will be able to see the face of Allah SWT 2x in a day, morning and evening. While the higher favors again in this heaven is when humans can look at the face of Allah SWT.

As for how to see Allah SWT is not the way we see with the usual eye that prevalent, but the way is with eyesight that has been determined Allah SWT for the inhabitants of heaven. Firdaus heaven is created by Allah SWT from gold. This heaven is always called the true paradise because of the condition in there.

“Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be Gardens (of) the Paradise (as) a lodging.” (Al-Kahf 18:107)

The prospective inhabitants are:

those who keep the mandates (which he carries) and his promises,
people who keep the prayer,
people who turn away from wasted work.
people who keep his genital, except to their wives.
people who pay zakat

“Indeed, successful (are) the believers. Those who [they] during their prayers (are) humbly submissive, those who [they] from the vain talk turn away, those who [they] of purification works (are) doers, and those who [they] of their modesty (are) guardians except for their spouses or what they rightfully possess then indeed, they (are) not blameworthy. Then whoever seeks beyond that then those [they] (are) the transgressors. And those who [they] of their trusts and their promise(s) (are) observers and those who [they] over their prayers they guard who will inherit the Paradise. They therein (will) abide forever.” (Al-Mu’minun 23:1-11)

See also: Fraternity in Islam

2. ‘Adn Heaven (Garden of Eternity/Eden)

‘Adn heaven is an eternal place devoted to those who fear Allah SWT. ‘Adn heaven was created by Allah SWT from a white diamond. This heaven is often called Garden of Eternity or Garden of Eden.

“Gardens (of) Eternity, (will be) opened for them the gates.” (Sad 38:50)

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The prospective inhabitants are :

Those who are patient because they seek the blessings of their Lord, establish prayers and spend some of the fortunes that We give them secretly or openly and reject evil with good.

“And those who (are) patient, seeking (the) Face (of) their Lord and establish the prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly and they repel with the good the evil – those for them (is) the final attainment (of) the Home – Gardens of Eden, they will enter them and whoever (were) righteous among their fathers and their spouses, and their offsprings. And the Angels will enter upon them from every gate, (Saying), “Peace (be) upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent (is) the final attainment (of) the Home.” (Ar Ra’d 13:22-24)

One who repents, believes, and works righteously

“Except (one) who repented and believed and did good (deeds). Then those will enter Paradise and not they will be wronged (in) anything. Gardens (of) Eden, which promised the Most Gracious (to) His slaves in the unseen. Indeed, [it] is His promise sure to come.” (Maryam 19 : 60-61)

“But whoever comes to Him (as) a believer verily, he has done the righteous deeds, then those for them (will be) the ranks, [the] high. Gardens (of) Eden flows from underneath them the rivers, abiding forever in it. And that (is) the reward (for him) who purifies himself.” (Ta Ha 20:75-76)

Those who are truly righteous

“This (is) a Reminder. And indeed, for the righteous surely, is a good place of return, Gardens (of) Eternity, (will be) opened for them the gates.” (Sad 38 : 49-50)

“And it will be said to those who fear Allah, “What has your Lord sent down?” They will say, “Good.” For those who do good in this world (is) a good, and the home of the Hereafter (is) better. And surely excellent (is) the home (of) the righteous. Gardens (of) Eden – which they will enter, flows from underneath them the rivers. For them therein (will be) whatever they wish. Thus Allah rewards the righteous.” (An-Nahl 16:30-31)

People who do good deeds

“And among them (is he who is) foremost in good deeds by permission (of) Allah. That is the Bounty the great. Gardens (of) Eternity, they will enter them. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein (will be of) silk.” (Fatir 35:32-33)

3. Na’im Heaven (Gardens of Delight)

Na’im heaven is full of pleasure and is reserved for people who believe, have strong iman, and do good deeds. Na’im heaven was created by Allah SWT from white silver. This heaven is often called Garden of Delight. Prospective residents are:

Those who believe and do good deeds

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them (are) Gardens (of) Delight.” (Luqman 31:8)

“The Sovereignty (on) that Day (will be) for Allah, He will judge between them. So those who believe and did righteous deeds (will be) in Gardens (of) Delight.” (Al-Hajj 22:56)