Dear Mr. Zukeran I read your article on “What Happens After Death” and I am offended by your lack of knowledge as to what the Qu’ran (the proper spelling not Koran, you should at least know that) teaches about paradise. I am a Christian who has married a fine Muslim man. I am sure he does not believe in a paradise of wine and young virgins. One is not even allowed to drink wine as a Muslim so why would there be wine in paradise? This is the stereotype I find throughout the West. You should do better research on Islam before you say anything about it. Sharon.
Dear Sharon, There are several ways to spell the Islamic Holy Book. It can be spelled Koran, Qu’ran, or Quran. You will find these spellings when you study Islamic scholars. In regards to paradise, I am stating the beliefs of classical Islam. Since the death of Muhammad (There are several ways to spell his name as well) Islamic sects have been at war with one another. As you know two of the first four caliphs who succeeded Muhammad were assassinated and there have been numerous wars between the sects that continue to this day. Some sects will deny what the Koran and Hadith teach about paradise but because they deny it does not make that sect or person’s opinion representative of classical Islam. As in Christianity, the Bible is the standard for which every Christian must refer to as a guide to proper doctrine and belief. So every Muslim refers to the Koran as a guide to their beliefs. So let us take a look at what the Koran says regarding paradise. A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear-run honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord. (Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire and are given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels? Sura 47:15 Surely for the godfearing awaits a place of security, gardens and vineyards and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age and a cup overflowing. Sura 78:30 Except for God’s sincere servants: for them awaits a known provision, fruits – and they high-honored in the Gardens of Bliss upon couches, set face to face, a cup from a spring being passed round to them, white a delight to the drinkers, wherein no sickness is, neither intoxication; and with them wide-eyed maidens restraining their glances. Sura 37:40-47 Surely the godfearing shall be in gardens and bliss… Reclining upon couches ranged in rows: and we shall espouse them to wide-eyed houris. ( Most beautiful virgins endowed with unfading youth) Sura 52:20-25 Classical Islam has taught these ideas regarding paradise. The Koran appears to teach this according to these passages. Patrick Zukeran