Question 338: Assalam walaikum saheb,

1) I know that Jannatul Firdaus is the greatest and highest level of Jannat.What qualities are most essential to enter firdaus? I heard the topmost level is only for Rahmat-ul-Aalameen and martyrs and Ahlul-Bayt.
2) There are so many acts of goodness to do.Some people may pray day and night for 40 years,but somewhere someone must have gained the same favour in just giving a small,yet timely charity frown emoticon. What are the MOST,MOST,MOST rewarding deeds for a believer?

Answer 338: In the holy Quran Allah, the Almighty says: “As for those who have faith and do righteous deeds they shall have the gardens of Firdaws for abode”.[1]

Although, according to the apparent of the above mentioned verse of the holy Quran everyone who have faith and do righteous deed will go to the Jannatul Firdaus, but considering the meaning of the word ‘Firdaus’ we can figure it out that this holy place is for particular believers have been mentioned in other surah of the holy Quran as follows:[2]

In the holy Quran surah Momenoon, Allah (SWT) introduces some conditions for the believers who inherit Jannatul Firdaus as follows:

Certainly, the faithful have attained salvation, those who are humble in their prayers, who avoid vain talk, who carry out their [duty of] zakat, who guard their private parts, except from their spouses or their slave women, for then they are not blameworthy; but whoever seeks [anything] beyond that it is they who are transgressors, and those who keep their trusts and covenants, and who are watchful of their prayers, It is they who will be the inheritors, who shall inherit paradise (Firdaus), and will remain in it [forever].[3]

Traditions:

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: Request Firdaus that is in the center of the heaven and best and highest level of it that Allah’s Arsh (Throne of Allah) is above it ….[4]

Imam Ali (as) said: The highest level of the heaven is Firdaus where it is for the holy Prophet (pbuh) and his Progeny.[5]

There are seven paradises have been discussed in Holy Quran and tradtions as follows: Dar al-Salam (Abode of Peace), Dar al-Jalal (Abode of Glory), Jannatul Mava (Garden of Refuge), Jannatul Khuld (Garden of Eternity), Garden of Eden, Garden of Paradise and Garden of Bliss (or Delight).

Jannatul Firdaus:

Jannatul Firdaus (Garden of Paradise) is the paradise which God has made of gold and silver mixed with the fragrance of musk and amber. According to a narration, God has made paradise of musk and amber and therein He has planted the best fruit (trees) and basils. [6] Jannatul Firdaus (Garden of Paradise) is the highest level of paradise. [7] This is the paradise which Fatima Zahra, peace be upon her, while describing it amid weeping on the separation of her father said: “O father, you answered the call of your Lord when He called you. O father, Jannatul Firdaus is your abode.” Therefore, Firdaus is the name of the paradise where the Prophet (s) is dwelling. [8]

The ceiling of this Paradise (Firdaus) is the Throne of the Lord and therein two green and white palaces are made of pearl. The white palace consists of seventy thousand units (rooms) inhabited by Prophet (s) and his household. The green palace also consists of seventy thousand units whose residents are Ibrahim and his household (a.s). [9]

It has been narrated that the walls of Jannatul Firdaus are made of light, and the light of its rooms and units is from the light of the Lord. [10]

[1] . Surah Kahf, verse 107.

[2] . Tafsir Nemooneh, Vol. 12, Pg. 614.

[3] . Surah Momenoon, verse 1-11.

[4] . Payam e Quran (the message of the holy Quran), Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, Vol. 6, Pg. 351, quoted from Rooh al-Ma’ani, Vol. 16, Pg. 47.

[5] . Bihar al-Anwar, Allamah Majlesi, Vol. 24, Pg. 269, al-Wafa Institution.

[6] – Ardabili, Zubdatul Bayan, pg. 55.

[7] – Kashif al-Ghita, pg. 19.

[8] – Shukani, Neil al-Awtar, vol.4, pg. 161.

[9] –  Masail Ali bin Ja’far, pg. 345.

[10] – Man La Yahzuruhu al-Faqhi, vol.1, pg. 296.