The Grades of Paradise

　　The evidence that Paradise has various grades and its inhabitants will be in different ranks and categories:

　　Paradise consists of grades, some of which are above others, and its people will be of differing levels and categories according to their position in Paradise. Almighty Allah Says (what means):

　　{But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds — for those will be the highest degrees [in position].} [Quran 20:75]

　　One of those who explained and clarified this issue was Ibn Taymiyyah who said: "Paradise has grades that are widely differentiated. The beloved Awliyaa’ (those close to Allah because of their piety and heedfulness) will be placed in those levels according to their faith and piety. Allah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):

　　{Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly gratifications) — We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.} [Quran 17:18]

　　Allah, the Most High, explains how He gives more of His Bounty in this world or the next, as He wills, and His Bounty is not withheld [forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Allah, the Exalted, Says (what means):

　　{Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.} [Quran 17: 21]

　　Allah Almighty explains that the differences between people in the Hereafter will be greater than the differences between them in this life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter is greater than the differences here in this life. Allah also differentiates between His Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, as He does between the rest of His believing slaves. Allah, the All-Majestic, Says (what means):

　　{Those messengers- some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the pure spirit [(Jibreel (Gabriel)].} [Quran 2: 253]

　　Allah also Says (what means): {And your Lord is Most Knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to Daawood (David) We gave the Book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55]

　　On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad said:

　　“A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, although both are good. Pay attention to that which benefits you, seek Allah’s help, and never feel helpless. If something happens to you, do not say, ‘If only such and such would have happened.’ Say instead: ‘Allah has decreed it and He does what He wills.’ Saying ‘if only’ opens the way for Satan.” [Muslim]

　　Besides, the Prophet also said:

　　“If a judge forms an independent judgment to decide an issue in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah (Ijtihaad) and is correct, he will have two rewards, and if he is mistaken, he will have one reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

　　Indeed, there are many verses in the Quran which indicate that there are different degrees and various ranks as a reward for the believers in Paradise (according to the excellence of their deeds). These verses are as follows:

　　{Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than those who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allah has promised the best [reward] And Allah, with what you do, is Acquainted....} [Quran 57: 10]

　　{Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] — other than the disabled — and the Mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the Mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e. both] Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the Mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward — Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy.} [Quran 4: 95-96]

　　{Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah.

　　And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward.} [Quran 9: 19-22]

　　{Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39. 9]

　　{... O you who have believed, when you are told, “Space yourselves” in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you.’ And when you are told, “Arise,” then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.} [Quran 58. 11]

　　Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said:

　　“Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will be granted Paradise as of right by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall we acquaint the people with this good news?” He said, “Paradise has one hundred grades (and ranks) which Allah has reserved for the Mujaahideen who fight in His Cause, and the extent of difference (distance) between each of the two grades is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allah for something, ask for Al-Firdaws, which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” I (the narrator, Abu Hurayrah) thought that the Prophet said: “Above it (Al-Firdaws) is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari]

　　The Description of Paradise –I

　　The Description of Paradise –III