The moment that a blessed servant of Allah walks through the gate of Paradise, it will be a complete surprise to him.


Allah tells us about some of the rewards in Paradise, but we don't exactly know what are the experiences and feelings we will get when we are there. Allah says:


‎فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ


'No soul can imagine what delights are kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do.' (32:17)


And I think that the surprise itself - just the fact that the rewards have been hidden from us for so long, even beyond our imagination - is itself another great rewarding factor upon experiencing Jannah for the first time, insha'Allah.


Recently, due to someone's patience, forbearance, and understanding towards me, I was just wishing or daydreaming in my head that I was rewarding him with something (nothing specific, just 'something') that really made him happy and pleased, and that it was a great surprise to him.


Similarly, more or less, I think that we all have an inward 'desire to reward' others as an instinctive feeling that is ingrained within our fitrah and human nature. In other words, we want to reward others greatly when they have been very good with us; we start to experience that 'reward instinct' within us during those moments.


But then, simultaneously, we have to remember that it is Allah who is the best of rewarders. No one can out-reward the greatness of Allah SWT's rewards and they are truly beyond anyone's imagination.


Another point to reflect on is that, ultimately, it is because of Allah's mercy that we will enter Jannah, not because of our deeds alone. For indeed, even our ability to do good deeds and even our faith are ultimately a guidance and mercy from Allah.


And as we know from the following famous hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:


'Be steadfast and aim for perfection, and rejoice, for no one will enter Paradise because of his deeds alone.' They asked, 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Not even me, unless Allah envelops me in His Mercy.' (Bukhari and Muslim)


However, when we are finally in Paradise, insha'Allah, we will be greeted by the angels who will say, 'Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you used to do' (16:32).


So, then I was thinking to myself that such statement is, in fact, a further reinforcement of the loving and merciful nature of Allah SWT. It's not a contradiction.


When you truly want to reward someone, you want to make them feel worthy of it and you want them to be pleased about their own actions. This will elevate their experience of the reward even more because they realize that you are also pleased with them.


Likewise, Allah won't tell the people in Paradise, 'This is because of My Mercy,' but rather, He will tell us, 'This is because of what you used to do.' But again, that statement itself reflects Allah SWT's mercy, tenderness, and His generosity towards those whom He loves.


So, the moral is that if we seek and value Allah's mercy over our own deeds in this life, then Allah SWT, out of His mercy, will make a mention of and elevate our deeds in the next life.


#TheReward

The Language of Quran

As a woman, traditionally associated with cooking, two Quranic words have always caught my attention. Allah SWT uses 'ذوقوا' (dhooqoo, meaning 'taste' or 'experience') for the doomed in Hell, wherever punishment is mentioned. In contrast, when describing blessings for the people of Paradise, He uses 'کُلُوا' (kuloo, meaning 'eat').


In cooking, we offer a small amount to taste (ذوق) to adjust seasoning. This tiny taste is enough for the taste buds to sense the flavor. On the other hand, food served for satisfaction (کُل) fills the stomach. SO IT'S REGARDED AS SUITABLE TO BE USED IN RELATION TO WHAT IS MUCH.Here, Allah SWT repeatedly tells the doomed to 'taste' punishment, implying:


- Taste the torment you denied
- Taste the flavor of your disbelief
- Taste Hell's fire


Considering the eternal nature of Hell's torments, this 'tasting' doesn't satiate; it merely remains a lingering experience. So while reflecting on this, I gained new insights:


Firstly, when describing Paradise, Allah says the blessed will eat to their heart's content, implying no deficiency or weakness (hunger being a deficiency۔ i.e., in 77:43, 69:24, 52:19). In contrast, when Allah commands the doomed to 'taste' each punishment, it means they'll never be satisfied or fulfilled,no matter the severity.


This distinction highlights:


1. The blessed experience completeness and satisfaction.
2. The doomed face perpetual longing and discontent.
3. Allah's mercy and justice.


A second dimension: despite enduring immense torment, Allah Almighty still commands, 'ذوقوا' (dhooqoo, 'taste' or 'experience'). This is a chilling reality, implying:
'This is not just a sample, nor a brief test; this is merely the beginning. Prepare yourselves for the full version, for an eternity of suffering.'


The repetition of 'ذوقوا' emphasizes:

1. Unrelenting punishment.
2. Endless suffering.
3. Allah's wrath.

This Quranic expression evokes fear and awe, reminding us of the gravity of disobedience and the consequences of rejecting Allah's guidance.


Thirdly, on the Day of Reckoning, individuals will be made to taste the true essence of their own actions and temptations that enthralled them in the world. They found amusement in mocking the Day of Judgment, but now they'll experience the bitter consequences.


This phrase 'ذوقوا' implies:

'You were captivated by worldly delights, lavish gatherings, and desires that seemed so alluring. Now, taste the reality of those very same actions, for eternity.'

It highlights:
1. Consequences of mockery and disbelief.
2. Accountability for one's actions.
3. The actual nature of worldly pleasures.

In Hell, the doomed will realize that their worldly indulgences have become an eternal source of suffering, a taste they cannot escape.


And then, this recurring phrase 'ذوقوا' (taste) reappears, accompanied by a new mention of torment each time. This emphasizes that if human beings experience the same suffering repeatedly, they grow accustomed to it, and its impact diminishes over time as they develop resilience.


However, in Hell, the doomed will taste an endless succession of novel punishments, each one uniquely excruciating. This ensures that:

1. The suffering remains unbearable.
2. The sensation of pain stays intense.
3. The victims never become desensitized.


The continuous introduction of new torments serves as a stark reminder:
'You will never grow accustomed to this agony; each moment will bring a fresh, unrelenting horror.'

Allah's justice ensures that the punishment fits the crime, and the doomed will face an eternal cycle of suffering, devoid of reprieve.


My cooking faculty led me to contemplate on this word and it unveiled the depths of Quranic language and Allah's wisdom. I am in awe of Allah's boundless wisdom, humbled by the realization that my understanding barely scratches the surface of the treasures concealed within these اٰيٰت محكمٰت. 
May Allah SWT bless us with the abundance and contentment of His mercy and blessings in the Hereafter.

Waiyyaki sister. It's an honor for me, and I would like to read your thoughts. please do share with me your insights on this subject

Bismillah

'Indeed, the righteous will be in Gardens and bliss.'
﴿إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَعِيمٍ﴾

The ones who were conscious of their Lord—
not perfect, but sincere,
who paused before sin,
who turned back after slipping—
they will finally rest.
Not just in a garden—
but in bliss.
A place where sorrow can’t follow,
where fear dissolves,
and longing is fulfilled.

'Enjoying what their Lord has given them…'
﴿فَاكِهِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ﴾

They delight—
not in what they earned,
but what their Lord gave them.
This is not a transaction.
It’s a gift—
from the One who knew their striving,
their hidden du‘ā’,
their private tears.
This is reward wrapped in mercy.

'…and their Lord protected them from the punishment of Hellfire.'
﴿وَوَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ﴾

Because they couldn’t protect themselves.
Because fear alone wasn’t enough—
it was His mercy that shielded them.
They lived between fear and hope.
And now—
they see the wisdom in that balance.

'[They will be told:] Eat and drink in satisfaction
for what you used to do.'
﴿كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾

Now, no anxiety shadows the joy.
No guilt, no fear, no sudden ending.
What they eat, what they drink—
is pure, permanent, peaceful.
This is not like the world.
This is reward with no regret.

'They will recline on couches arranged in rows…'
﴿مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مَّصْفُوفَةٍ﴾

No more running, no more exhaustion.
They lean back—fully at ease.
No pain in the back,
no heaviness in the heart.
Their gathering is dignified,
united,
in perfect order.

'And We will marry them to companions with beautiful eyes.'
﴿وَزَوَّجْنَاهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ﴾

They will not be alone.
They will have companions—
pure, loving, everlasting.
Not just for desire—
but for connection,
for shared joy,
for hearts that are no longer broken.

'And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith —
We will join with them their descendants…'
﴿وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ﴾

Family rejoined.
The righteous children with the righteous parents.
Even if their ranks were different—
Allah lifts them,
so they can be together again.
A mercy for generations who longed for reunion.

'And We will not deprive them of [the reward of] their deeds.'
﴿وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ﴾

Nothing is wasted.
Not a sigh, not a sujood, not a silent night of restraint.
It all counted.
And it all returns—
better than how it left.

'Every person, for what he earned, is retained.'
﴿كُلُّ امْرِئٍۢ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ﴾

Everyone is tied to their own deeds.
There is no injustice.
But there is grace.
And for those who tried,
Allah multiplies.

These verses open a window into what I am striving for —
Jannah, safety, and eternal relief.

I learn that the people of Taqwa — those who lived with awareness of Allah —
will be far from punishment.
Not just physically distant, but emotionally distant from fear, grief, and regret.
They will rest in gardens and enjoy what they worked for.

And then comes something my heart longs for the most:
Families reunited.

Allah promises to join the believers with their children, their loved ones,
if all shared faith — even if their deeds differed.
No one will be left behind if belief united them.

Ya Allah, grant me taqwa and keep my family firm in faith.
Reunite us in Jannah by Your mercy,
Ameen