H E A V E N Originally the term “Heaven” referred to the sky or the area above the earth where the “Heavenly bodies” are placed. Heaven (Arabic Jannah), is the Islamic conception of paradise. The Arabic word Jannah is a shortened version meaning simply “Garden”. According to Islamic eschatology, after death one will reside in the grave until the appointed resurrection on Yawm Al Qiyamah. Muslims believe that the treatment of the individual in the life of the grave will be according to his or her deeds in the worldly life. Jannah is often compared to Christians concepts of Heaven. According to Muslim belief, everything one longs for in this world will be there in Paradise. Paradise itself is commonly described in the Qur’an. The highest level of Paradise is Firdous, which is where the Prophets, the Martyrs and the most truthful and pious people will dwell. DESCRIPTIONS OF PARADISE: The descriptions of Paradise are mentioned in significant detail in the Qur’an, Hadiths and tr
BELIEFS ABOUT ALLAH/GOD We all want to make it through life with some degree of success, some sense that we did it right. And if others think they know how life can be satisfying, even meaningful, it’s at least checking out. What about the major world religions? Is there anything in them that would give our lives greater stability and value? The following is an opportunity to look into the major world religions, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, new-age. Each of these systems has sects with differing beliefs. The description given here focuses on the heart of that system. Included is a brief description of each, its distinguishing characteristics, and what a person can gain from each. ISLAM AND ITS BELIEFS Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from human kind. Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allah’s will. He is a power