Does Islam Really Teach that There Will be Virgins in Heaven? Khaled Abou El Fadl

In this excerpt from the Surah 55: Al Rahman Project Illumine Halaqa Q&A ( • Surah 55: Al-Rahman | ... ) Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl deconstructs, with evidence from Qur'anic commentators, the idea that in Islamic belief heaven will be inhabited by virgin women for the pleasure of men.
The discussion also touches on modern reformist attempts to reinterpret such verses in a non-patriarchal lens.
"What should we make of mentions of “Hoor al Ayn”? I just want to voice appreciation for when the Professor emphasizes stripping our interpretations of patriarchy in order to reach authentic understandings of the Quran. The repetition of virgins and pretty women in Jannah is quite degrading, so when there is a deeper interpretation of the words of God that are not the shallow desires of men, it feels enlightening and fulfilling and validates further the greatness of Allah and what Allah wanted to deliver to us. I do not find such pure approaches to the Quran elsewhere."
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[@thraciensis3589]

Huge thanks to you!!! The interpretation of Quran is ULTIMATELY important! Most of the Islanic scholarships, sheikhs, hodjas, mullahs, etc. use the very distorted interpretations! The extreme patriarchal Jahilliyya traditions continued by dominating and distorting Islam. Unfortunately prophet Muhammad s.a.s could NOT eradicate the extreme patriarchal, putrid traditions that are poisoning the Muslim societies all around the world to this day. If you suppress women by distorted interpretations of Quran and Hadith, do NOT give their rights to them, how can the women choose for themselves? Quran gives independence and equality to women. Most clerics did not care about women in the past and they will not with the unholy, backward male mindset. But only with the divinely true interpretations of Quran, you can do that. Thank you again.

[@latifx3944]

When reading, I always assumed it meant the people in heaven would be in perpetual youth(as its stated the men and women would be of similar age) and never viewed it in a sexual matter myself. I was shocked at the amount of scholars and muslims who interpreted in a sexual reward. Its refreshing to hear someone actually contemplate and not just parrot what they were told.

[@SunnyandWillow]

Forwarded every place I can think of : sexist translations of scripture need to be criticised. This video is 🔥🔥🔥

[@colorme6536]

Thank you so much for this , lots of women are driven away from Islam after hearing the 72 virgin part

[@Mbalings]

Ok this gives me a big relief 😮‍💨 I was concerned- as a non believer seeking Truth

[@rokeyakhanom5351]

Love YOUR attitude. I had problem with the hoor thing as well but the main problem is seeing scholars validating the whole hoor narrative

[@mariumjeelani9431]

THIS WAS TRULY BEAUTIFUL!! I cannot put into words how revolutionary, healing and reforming Dr Khaled's words are.

[@dearrationals]

Dear sir, I wrote an article some years ago about this very topic. I had some responses from Muslim women about how this topic made them lose so much faith. It's not just men who have to abstain. Women suffer from oppression and all kinds of problems yet we are to suffer in Jannah too? I'm not sure what you mean about women who have tackled this issue not having done so adequately (if I'm understanding correctly). The thing is, this topic has hurt many Muslim women. It's only normal that they will try to understand it in some way. This topic is filled with misogyny, contradictions, and abhorrent sexualisation of women and their bodies. It's not easy to be told all this by Muslim men and in the same breath be told to work towards this allegedly male-centred Jannah.

[@gabrielaaminkhoriati2263]

Is your article online? I'm a revert and a brushed the topic off by saying to myself "sexual pleasure will be a reward to everyone" and that the true reward is being close to Allah.

[@walkingwith_dinosaurs]

I'd be glad to read your arctcle, can you please write it's title and your name if it can be found online?

[@s-8746]

Would love to read your article too

[@ShadowSis]

yes, i'm interested too! I was just plunged into a faith crisis due to this topic, so I am currently binge researching it

[@pbandjelly007]

Brilliant insight. I'm still confused where the whole number 70 came from when certain scholars give a number to these "maidens"

[@rafibangladesh]

The views on this video which is not even 1/1000th of Asim Al Hakeem says a lot where the Ummah is heading.

[@ohidakhanom254]

True

[@saniyyaheman3079]

Jazakum'Allah Khayrann katheeran katheera, Doctor. 🥺✨ You are truly a gem, may Allah protect you.

[@mallorystewart6125]

Polyginy, both in the dunya and the Jannah, is what has troubled my Iman.

[@TheUsuliInstitute]

Watch the entire Project Illumine tafsir to get to know your Qur'an and your mind will be blown. It addresses this and so much more that troubles the iman of Muslims today but Muslims don't know their Qur'an.

[@mallorystewart6125]

@@TheUsuliInstitute yes in Sha Allah I will.

[@ranazaman6121]

@@TheUsuliInstitute Jazakalkahu Khairan. I would love to watch that. I love Quran. When I was a teenager a relative of mine who had seen Prophet Muhammad SAWS in a dream told me to first of all READ THE QURAN to know the real true Islam instead of listening to what people say and reading what is in books that have been written by people. I took that advice and did so. And also, a huge thing I have learned is that perhaps if we listen more carefully and more attentively to Allah when He speaks to us instead of going by what people say, then we would be much better guided. May Allah bless you The Usuli Institute. This was AN EXCELLENT video. And may Allah bless Khaled Abou El Fadl. ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@mina.j97]

This is very interesting I came across an interpretation by imam al ghazali I think it was attributed to that Hoor Al-Ayn are not a separate creature, but rather simply describe the pure state Women who enter Jannah will be in resurrected in. So Hur Alayn does NOT refer to a separate creature but simply the pure state women of Jannah will be resurrected in (no urination, nor defecation, no menstruation, internal youth etc.) This means that the wife/wives of a man in this dunya (this life), will be his hur Al-Ayn (translated here as pure companion) in Jannah. Scholars in this opinion hold that Intercourse in Jannah will only exist between a man and his worldly wife/wives (who have become his "hoor Al-ayn").

[@suksuk5191]

Jazakiallahukhair ya Sheikh! your teachings are very grounding, insightful and refreshing. they make me love our beautiful religion even more ❤

[@AlbabEarlyLearning]

I am a born-Muslim alhamdulillah. However, I have always been troubled by the misogyny that permeates many religious discourses. It hurts. It has me question my role as a woman all the time. I really want to worship Allah, the Just. JAK for thé insight. I also have quick vocab question: isn’t the meaning of hoor as those with very dark irises contrasting with the bright white of their eyes: حوِرتِ العينُ :اشتدّ بياضُ بياضها وسوادُ سوادها واستدارت حدقتُها، ورقَّت جفونُها عين حوراءُ، حَوِرَتِ الْمَرْأةُ: كَانَتْ حَوْرَاءَ

[@za2959]

I never believed that whole hoori fantasy but it was difficult to find alternative readings from scholars. Anybody know where to read Ibn Arabi's perspective that the Professor mentioned?

[@Toast-M1]

I think it was Al Jilani

[@za2959]

@@Toast-M1 Thank you!

[@dearrationals]

I want to know where to read it as well.

[@sarfrazahmedc]

Simply brilliant & profoud.. Possibilities..

[@Gargindale]

But there are other verses where it specifically says virgin women with beautiful eyes..

[@walkingwith_dinosaurs]

6:25 "Embodiment of the potentialities of your understanding that are extended to you in proportion to your deeds and your good will" I don't understand what that mean can someone explain please?

[@elc5196]

Thank you

[@fatimamaymoonah]

Assalamualaikum, could you talk about the Hadith that mention the hoors too?

[@ShahWaliJamal]

Could anybody please help me learn how traditional, medieval and modern differ from one another?

[@podersa241]

It sounds like a desire of the flesh. What I want in this life and in heaven is only to serve GOD that is it. However he sees fit.

[@lifechoices6643]

Even if Islam doesn't teach this, what to do when millions of men not only believe so but forcefully propagate it too

[@Peacan1111]

Enlighten them, that's how teaching works.

[@Gargindale]

What about Surah 56:35-37? The numerous verses and hadiths do refer to beautiful virgin women waiting in heaven and reserved for each pious Muslim. I hope what you say is the correct interpretation, it is just mindboggling a bit to see that interpretations are divided on the Quran verses that ought to be clear and undisputed.. And the verses could have very well been phrased in a clearer way.. I am no scholar, but I do believe that the intent was originally meant to be sexual, hence why traditional interpretations and tafsirs explain it that way. And it was only through the emancipation of human mind and morals due to humanity's own progress that lead to people revisiting those verses and reinterpreting them in a way that sounds more virtuous and righteous. As a non-Muslim, I am all for reinterpreting the Quran (or as Muslims would call it "interpreting them correctly") under better light and not being afraid of possible repercussions. I want Islam to be renewed and that the core ideologies be updated, and I hope Muslims can do that by recurring to the fact that that was what Allah always intended, and it is only after we have reached a certain level of enlightenment that the verses were meant to be interpreted in a new and better way, in a more spiritual and virtuous and deep way that would lead the people on the Right Path.

[@TheUsuliInstitute]

Watch the Project Illumine Quranic Commentaries by Dr. Abou El Fadl. They will blow your mind. Especially as a non-scholar, non-Muslim, you will appreciate the difference seeing it from the opposite side of the spectrum. :)

[@adonh3779]

@@TheUsuliInstitute Will Project Illumine be published as a written tafsir by the Usuli Press?

[@faizanahmed5816]

Islam is massively misinterpreted who to trust who to not its scary

[@lostfound6127]

10:09 I am a gay person who is living a celibate life for the sake of God. I am trying to abstain. I care if there will be sexual pleasure for me in Heaven. Please tell me I won't be changed into a straight person if I enter there as every preacher preaches. I know it is a test but I don't want it to leave. To think I won't get my desire in this world is hard enough for me to bear. Please...I do not want to be changed into something else. Please someone provide some hope for me...

[@bootsmade4walking]

Perhaps you could reflect that: at the time of death all concepts of gender, sexuality, and the physical body dissolve. What remains is what you have done and left undone, what you have put first and what you put last. As the Sheikh says, the concept of “hoor” is the embodiment of your deeds - not a physical sexual partner of any gender. Again, as the Sheikh said, as you set your heart on seeking Allah, your desire for sexual pleasure in the hereafter will dissolve, InshaAllah. The sweetness of bearing witness to your Lord is endlessly, infinitely greater than any moment of sexual ecstasy or enjoyment in this life or the next. May Allah guide you and comfort your heart as you continue your journey ❤️

[@lunarsensitive1]

We don't really know anything about what's going to happen in heaven. :/ I think the best thing for us is just trying to get there in the first place and we can worry about heaven later. Don't lose hope though. I'm rooting for you.

[@za2959]

@@bootsmade4walking Beautifully encapsulated response.

[@shayanparsai]

God is the most just, compassionate, and merciful. There is no reason to believe that He would suddenly seize being as such towards inhabitants of heaven in the hereafter.

[@user-ky8ym7le9m]

Will people who are attracted to children, animals, and so on also be turned straight