Location of Heaven:
As Muslims, we believe that, our father Adam(Ah) was sent down from the Heaven after he ate the prohibited fruits. However, as I read Al Bidaya wan Nihaya by Ibn Kathir , it is now revealed to me that, the Heaven from where Adma was expelled , was actually in this world. But the popular perception is that, the Heaven is not in this world and that it is somewhere ‘above’ in the sky.
Could you please clarify the matter as Ibn Kathir mentioned that, there is no Quranic proof that Heaven is above the world.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
There has been much debate throughout history as to whether the Jannah from which Ādam ‘Alayhis Salām was expelled was the heavenly Jannah of the hereafter or a separate Jannah within this world. ‘Ulamā’ are divided on four different opinions:
- The Jannah was the heavenly Jannah of the hereafter.
- The Jannah was an earthly abode based somewhere in the skies.
- The Jannah was an earthly abode based somewhere on the earth.
- Some ‘Ulamā’ have taken a neutral stance on the matter.[1]
Whilst majority of the scholars are of the first opinion, great scholars have differed throughout history on the matter. Each of the first three groups have strong supporting evidence from both the Qur’ān and Hadīth to substantiate their respective views. Due to this, some scholars have taken a neutral stance and not given preference to any of the views. Acknowledging and respecting the views of all these scholars, we prefer to adopt a neutral stance on the matter.
As far as the Jannah of the hereafter is concerned, there is no doubt that it is not located in this world and its exact location is in the knowledge of Allāh.
‘Ulamā’ other than Hāfiz Ibn Kathīr Rahimahullāh have also written on the topic, quoting more evidence from the Qur’ān and Hadīth. From an academic point of view, we appreciate your zeal for knowledge and make du’ā Allāh preserve your zeal and enthusiasm. However, since this matter neither relates directly to our fundamental beliefs, nor to any obligatory practical matter as a Muslim, we advise that you read the discussion, understand it and carry on without going into a technical analysis of the matter. Allāmah Ibn ‘Ābidīn as-Shāmī Rahimahullāh writes:
‘It is inappropriate for one to question regarding issues for which there is no real need, such as the manner of the descent of Jibreel (‘Alayhis Salaam) … the location of Jannah and Jahannum, … etc.’[2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Nabeel Valli
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[1] حادي الأرواح إلى بلاد الأفراح لابن قيم الجوزية، ص 22-42 [مطبعة المدني]
قصص القرآن (باللغة الأردية) لمولانا محمد حفظ الرحمن السيوهاروي، ص 36 [دار الإشاعة]
البداية والنهاية (1/93) [دار ابن رجب]
قصص الأنبياء لابن كثير، ص 25 [دار الطباعة والنشر الإسلامية]
مفتاح دار السعادة لابن قيم الجوزية (1/11) [دار الكتب العلمية]
[2] الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (6/ 754) [سعيد]
وَيَنْبَغِي أَنْ لَا يَسْأَلُ الْإِنْسَانُ عَمَّا لَا حَاجَةَ إلَيْهِ كَأَنْ يَقُولَ: كَيْفَ هَبَطَ جِبْرِيلُ وَعَلَى أَيِّ صُورَةٍ رَآهُ النَّبِيُّ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -وَحِينَ رَآهُ عَلَى صُورَةِ الْبَشَرِ هَلْ بَقِيَ مَلَكًا أَمْ لَا؟ وَأَيْنَ الْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّارُ وَمَتَى السَّاعَةُ وَنُزُولُ عِيسَى؟ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ أَفْضَلُ أَمْ إِسْحَاقُ وَأَيُّهُمَا الذَّبِيحُ؟ وَفَاطِمَةُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ أَمْ لَا؟ وَأَبَوَا النَّبِيِّ كَانَا عَلَى أَيِّ دِينٍ؟ وَمَا دِينُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ؟ وَمَنْ الْمَهْدِيُّ إلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا لَا تَجِبُ مَعْرِفَتُهُ وَلَمْ يَرِدُ التَّكْلِيفُ بِهِ.