The hoors of paradise

Assalam alaikum,

The Wisdom of the Quran includes understanding the process of
revelation, specifically that verses often related to certain
circumstances or addressed certain environments.

Allah Almighty says "And they shall have wide eyed maidens averting
their gaze. They resemble hidden pearls"
[as-Saffat (the Rangers) ch. 37, v 48, 49]

Allah Almighty also says "Thus it will be, and We have them wide-eyed
houris in marriage"
[ad-Dukhan (the Smoke) ch 44, v 54]

Allah Almighty also says, "And round breasted mates"
[an-Naba (the Tidings) ch 78 v 33]

And Allah Almighty, speaking of the believers said, "Men and women who
have submitted, obeyed, are truthful, steadfast, reverent, giving in
charity, fasting, guarding their private parts and remembering Allah
often, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward"
[al-Azhab (the confederates) ch 33 v 35]

What I find interesting is the first three surahs were revealed in
Mecca in the earlier period of Islam before the Prophet's migration to
Medina. The revelation of last verse cited above was after the
migration in Medina – a gap reflecting a number of years.

When reading the explanation of the last verse above we see that it
was a reactionary verse. That is to say a group of Muslim women went
to the Prophet Muhammad complaining that the verses of the Quran were
revealed directed to the male gender (the duties, the rewards, the
responsibility etc) and they asked, what about the women? Thus Allah
Almighty pointed out with this verse that faith, the duties of faith,
the rewards of faith, are for all people, men AND women.

Specifically it was reported that Umm Salamah asked the Prophet "Why
is it that we (women) are not mentioned in the Quran as men are"
[Ahmed 6/305]

In understanding the Quran, the early period was designated as a way
to contrast and attract the attention of the pagan Arabs, focusing
more on the material and sexual. The latter period in Medina clearly
being observed as the period in which a greater focus on spirituality
is observed as is shown by these two verses where Allah Almighty says,

"Proclaim to those who have believed and done good works…. They shall
also have their pure spouses there…"
[al-Bakara (the Cow) ch 2 v 25]

"…and in which they abide forever along with purified spouses and
Allah's good pleasure…"
[al-Imram (the family of Imran) ch 3 v 15]

Understanding the above allows us to see how Allah Almighty first
catered for the comprehensive abilities of certain groups of people,
namely the uncouth, Arabs. Why did Allah Almighty adopt such an
approach? Like all things, it was disruptive, it caught people's
attention, made them think. Once the attention is gained, then a
refocus to that which is right as later spelled out in the Medina
verses where Allah Almighty refers not to `houris' but to `purified
spouses'.

NB There is dispute over the term houri, whether it relates to
beautiful women or beautiful spouses. The word Hoor is the plural of
the word ahwar (applicable to man) and of haura (applicable to woman).
So the word Houri can relate to both men and/or women.

The word hoor has been used 4 times in the Quran, twice it has been
followed by attributive nouns which are (i.e. female) gender specific.
But, more interestingly, twice, it has been used without a specific
gender.

Female gender: "Wide-eyed, cloistered in pavilions" [55: 72]- Mecca

Female gender: "And wide-eyed houris" [56: 22] - Mecca

Gender neutral: "Thus it will be, and We have them wide-eyed houris in
marriage" [44: 54] - Mecca

Gender neutral: "Reclining on ranged couches, and we shall wed them to
wide-eyed houris" [52: 20] - Mecca


Secondly, I'd like to address is that there is of course no shortage
of opinion in classical and latter literature which implies that
`houris' relate to beautiful women. And we also find a number of
references in the Sahih of Bukhari and certain Shia groups even
believe that Fatima (the daughter of Prophet Muhammad) became a Houri
in paradise.

Generally, these comments relate to how houris of paradise will have
beautiful wide eyes, a trait of beauty, and how their bodies will be
young and supple. Of course, contextualizing this, we see elsewhere in
literature that men and women will both be of a young age, both have
good bodies, both have no illness, both have no need or want for
anything etc. So it stands to reason that the descriptions of pious
partners, of houris may indeed refer to the state at which believing
women in the hereafter will revert to – just as men in the hereafter
will end up with six-packs, full bodied heads of hair, etc. And Allah
knows best

The interpretation that many lament where houris are the sex slaves of
men in paradise, and that paradise is full of the satisfaction of
carnal desires for men, leaving women with little by comparison is not
one which either makes sense to me, nor does it fit within the concept
of justice where Allah Almighty will reward both, men and women, with
such wonders that our minds in this life cannot comprehend.

A final note, many classical texts were authored by men thus it stands
to reason that the comments found within them will have a male
orientated slant. This doesn't mean to say that aspects of the
interpretation are wrong, rather, by our focusing and reducing success
in the hereafter in such a way in isolation, a truly unjust
representation of the next life is made – and who are we to comment
about that which we do not know that much about of in the first place?

May Allah Almighty have mercy and guide us all, ameen.

fi amanillah, assalam alaikum, f







In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
The Beneficent, the Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.
Keep us on the right path.
The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.[the Holy Quran-chapter#1 verse 1-7]

"Say: we believe in God and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il: Isaac, Jacob and The Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another, among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)." (Qur'an, Al-Imran 3:84)

"So,verily,with every difficulty,there is relief."-[THE HOLY QURAN,094.005]

"If Allah is your protector,none can overcome you,and if He forsakes you, then who can help you? Trust Allah and have faith in His sovereign power"[Qur'an, Al-Imran, Surah 3:160]

"Faint not nor grieve for you will overcome them if you are(indeed) believers."[Qur'an, Aal -e-imraan-3,verse 139]

"And say "O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.And I seek refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me." [Qur'an, AL-MUMENOON 023.097-98]

"O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are true (in word and deed)." [Qur'an , Al-Tauba,009.119]