The Prophet ﷺ described the Ghuraf, the lofty mansions in Jannah as dazzling abodes visible like shining stars in the sky. These dwellings are reserved for those who perfect their faith, uphold piety, show patience, and engage in sincere acts of worship. This article explores their descriptions in hadith, the deeds that lead to them, and how believers can strive for these highest ranks of Paradise through righteousness and steadfast devotion.
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The People of Paradise will look at the dwellers of the lofty mansions (i.e. a superior place in Paradise) in the same way as one looks at a brilliant star far off in the East and West on the horizon; all that is because of their superiority over one another (in rewards).” On that the people said: “O Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)! Are these lofty mansions for the Prophets which nobody else can reach?” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “No! By Allaah, in Whose Hands my life is, these are for the men who believed in Allaah and believed in the Messengers.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3256]
Commentary:
First: In Jannah, people will have different grades according to the strength of their belief and love of Allaah. Some people will be in a position near that of the Prophets because they perfected their Imaan in Allaah.
The dwellings (mansions) of Jannah are of different kinds: There are tents, castles (palaces), houses, and Ghuraf. The Ghuraf are the highest ranks as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) affirmed in this Hadeeth and in another Hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaari that he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The dwellers of Jannah will see the upper abodes of Jannah as you see the stars in the sky.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6555]. And in another narration, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “As you see a shining star remaining in the eastern horizon and the western horizon.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6556]
Second: The Description of the Ghuraf
The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I tell you about the Ghuraf of Jannah? In Jannah there are Ghuraf (chambers) made up of different types of jewels, whose insides can be seen from the outside and whose outside can be seen from the inside. In them there are delights, enjoyments, and honor that no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard.” [Reported by Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Ba’th wan-Nushur no. 279 and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 3708m and graded Saheeh Lighairihi]
Third: The Deeds by which one attains the Ghuraf (lofty high mansions):
1. Belief in the Oneness of Allaah and all the articles of faith as well as performing righteous deeds.
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ
“And those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers.” [Surat Al-Ankabut (28:58)]
وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاءُ الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ
“And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us in position but is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure].” [Surat Saba’ (34:37)]
2. Taqwa (piety)
لَٰكِنِ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ الْمِيعَادَ
“But those who have Taqwa of their Lord, for them are built lofty rooms, one above another under which rivers flow. (This is) the promise of Allaah, and Allaah does not fail in (His) promise.” [Surat Az-Zumar (39:20)]
Taqwa is as Talq ibn Habeeb (Rahimahullaah) explained: “Acting upon the command of Allaah, with a light from Allaah, hoping for the reward of Allaah, and abandoning disobedience to Allaah, with a light from Allaah, fearing the punishment of Allaah.”
3. Offering night prayer, feeding others, spreading the Salaam, observing fast regularly, and speaking good and kindly to people.
The owner of each one of these good deeds will attain these high rooms (chambers) by Allaah’s Grace. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned that in the following narrations:
- ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “In the Jannah there is a Ghurfa (room); its outside can be seen from its inside and its inside can be seen from outside.” Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari asked, “For who is that, O Messenger of Allaah?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “For those who speak kindly, give food, and stand in prayer at night whilst the people are sleeping.” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 2692 and graded Hasan Saheeh]
- ‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)said: “Indeed in Paradise there are chambers whose outside can be seen from their inside and their inside can be seen from their outside.” A bedouin stood and said: “Who are they for O Prophet of Allaah?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “For those who speak well, feed others, fast regularly, and perform Salaat for Allaah during the night while the people sleep.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 2527 and authenticated by Al-Albaani and graded Hasan]
- Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed in Jannah there are Ghuraf (chambers) whose outside can be seen from the inside and whose inside can be seen from the outside. Allaah has prepared them for those who feed others, spread the Salaam (the greeting) and offer night prayers whilst people are asleep.”[Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Al-Muwaarid no. 533 and graded Hasan]
Commentary:
Attaining these lofty chambers by feeding others and giving food is not restricted to the hungry, needy, or the poor; rather, giving food is a more comprehensive act of worship. It includes giving food to friends, neighbors and relatives, and making food for children, guests, brothers, and poor people for the sake of Allaah. By doing this, one may attain these Ghuraf (lofty chambers) in Paradise.
The person who is generous and spends and feeds others is from among the good slaves of the Most Beneficent (Allaah).
‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) once rebuked Suhaib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) for being extravagant with food. Suhaib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “I heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: ‘The best from among you (are those) who give food (feed others).’” [Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 248 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan Saheeh]
Also, those who fast regularly besides the month of Ramadan, fast Mondays and Thursdays, or three days every month, the six days of Shawwal, the day of ‘Arafah, and fasting the day of ‘Aashoora can attain these Ghuraf.
Another good deed by which one attains the Ghuraf in Jannah is offering the night prayer while people are asleep.
“It is an honor of the believer his standing in night prayer.” [Saheeh Al-Jamie’ no. 73 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]
Night prayer is an act of worship which is performed purely for Allaah’s sake. This is because no one is aware of it except Allaah Al-‘Aleem, The All-Knower, Who knows the slave’s state at the time when most people are asleep or heedless or engaged in vain and sinful acts such as watching what corrupts their minds and manners.
4. Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned the attributes of the servants of Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Gracious) in Surat Al-Furqaan [25:63-74]. Then He (Ta’ala) says in verse 75:
أُولَٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا
“Those will be rewarded with the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and (words of) peace.”
From their attributes and actions which they performed patiently:
a. They walk with dignity and humility; not with arrogance and pride, i.e. they are humble.
b. If the ignorant people insult them with bad words, they do not only respond in kind, but they forgive, overlook and say nothing but good words.
c. They spend their nights in the worship of their Lord.
d. They implore Allaah and ask Him to avert them from the torment of Hell. This indicates their fear of its torment.
e. They are not extravagant; spending more than they need, nor are they miserly towards their families; not spending enough on their needs. They follow the best and fairest way.
f. They avoid Shirk, murder, and Zina (adultery).
g. They do not bear witness to falsehood, including lies, immorality, disbelief, false speech, and false words.
h. They do not attend the places where falsehood occurs, and if it so happens that they pass by one, they do not let it contaminate them in the slightest.
i. When they are reminded of the verses of their Lord, they fall not deaf and blind thereat, i.e. they are affected by them and are moved to change their ways.
j. They ask Allaah to bring forth from their loins offspring who will obey Allaah and worship Him and not associate anything in worship with Him. And they ask Allaah to make them leaders who would be taken as examples in good and guide others to goodness.
They want their worship to be connected to the worship of their children and offspring and their guidance to go beyond themselves and benefit others.
The resolution and intention of the pious who were attributed with the aforementioned attributes were very noble and high; therefore, the recompense is of the same nature of their deed. Because of their patience, Allaah recompensed them with lofty high mansions (chambers) which include all that one desires, and the eyes rejoice at.
Fourth: Al-Qurtubi said: “Know that these chambers differ in height and appearance according to the deeds of their occupants. Some of them will be higher than others. When the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)said: ‘No, by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, they are for the men who believed in Allaah and in His Messenger,’ he did not mention deeds or anything other than faith and belief in the Messengers, with no doubts or questions. How could these chambers be reached through the faith and belief of ordinary people? If that were the case, then all the Muslims would reach these highest levels and that is impossible.” As Allaah (Ta’ala) says: “Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience…” [Surat Al-Furqaan (25:75)]
This patience often involved self-sacrifice and being steadfast for the sake of Allaah, focusing on Him, and being a true slave to Him. These are the attributes of Al-Muqarraboon, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says: “And it is not your wealth nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he (will please Us) who believes and does righteous deeds; for such there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.” [Surat Saba’ (34:37)]
Here Allaah mentioned the highest chambers or dwellings of Paradise and states that they will not be attained by means of wealth and children, but through faith and righteous deeds, and they will have a double reward. Their place will be the high dwellings, which tells you that this is faith that gives one tranquillity and certainty and fills the heart. A person with such faith is content no matter what happens to him and in all situations and circumstances. If he does a good deed, he does not mix it with the opposite, which are evil deeds. Good deeds that are uncontaminated with evil deeds cannot be achieved except by the one whose Imaan is very great and who is content and has no doubts, no matter what his circumstance. The faith and deeds of the one whose good deeds are contaminated are not like that, so his status will be lower.” [Al-Qurtubi, At-Tadhkirah p. 464]
Sources:
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Books of Hadeeth
Jam’a Al-Mutashabih fee Tahseel Ghuraf Al-Jannah <aleman-lidfa.aledman.net>
