Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - Perfect spouses

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

The Sensual pleasures Muhammad promises in Paradise are not limited to food, drink, an other material wants and pleasures, but is also extended to the pleasures of human flesh. In that day there will be a vast hoard of beautiful youths serving the elect of God.

"And We shall succour them with fruits [in abundance] and flesh such as they desire while they pass therein a cup one to another wherein is no idle talk [no light discource], no cause of sin, and there go round them [beautiful] youths, their own, as if they were hidden [imbedded] pearls." (Koran 52:22-24)

"Immortal [aye-blooming] youths shall go about them; when thou seest them, thou supposest them scattered pearls, when thou seest them [this] then thou seest bliss [delights] and a great [vast] kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and [rich] brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure draught." (Koran 76:19-21)

It is a very odd picture in deed; that God would create and entire race of youth to serve us night and day for all eternity, and that He would create them "beautiful" and of such an appearance as to engender bliss and the sense of a vast kingdom of which we are to be a part of. Their purpose is not just to server, but to serve as a focal point of beauty to arouse pleasure in the minds of those whom they serve. This is very odd when we consider the scripture where David says, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalms 16:11) True pleasure in our life comes from the Lord and are dispensed from His right hand. They do not come from the beauty of a race of youth who parade themselves around as they move to serve us.

More than this, Muhammad promises that, in Paradise, we shall dwell with our spouses.

"See, the inhabitants [inmates] of Paradise today are busy in their rejoicing [joyous in their employ], they and – their spouses, reclining upon [bridal] couches in the shade; therein they have fruits, and they have all that they call for [whatever they require]." (Koran 36:55-57)

However, these are not our spouses from Earth. These are perfect spouses, created for us, that we might enjoy them throughout eternity,

"whensoever they are provided with fruits therefrom they shall say, 'This is that wherewithal we were provided before'; that they shall be given in perfect semblance; and there for them shall be spouses purified [of perfect purity]; therein they shall dwell forever." (Koran 2:23)

"And those that believe, and do deeds of righteousness, them We shall admit to gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever and ever; therein for them shall be spouses purified [wives of stainless purity], and We shall admit them to a shelter of plenteous shade." (Koran 4:60)

In Paradise we will not have our wives from below, but we will be wedded to perfect wives; wives of unquestionable purity and fully surrendered. It is unclear what women will receive, but men will get to trade in their old and imperfect spouse for that model and perfect wife they truly desire and deserve. How demeaning to women and to marriage as a holy institution! This is a slap in the face to every woman and wife and serves only to sow into the minds of men discontent for their present wives, especially in the light of such womanly perfection that awaits them in heaven. Such teaching cast all women as imperfect, flawed, and something less than desirable. So far beneath are they from what their men really deserve that God will have to create perfect souses for their husbands in Paradise to reward them for their service to God. To Muhammad, the Koran, and Allah, women are at best, second rate citizens; women to be replaced by something better when their men get to paradise.

Even more so than this, as we have previously spoken, Muhammad failed to understand the words of Jesus when He said, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:30) In heaven there will be no marriage and no being wed to some perfect race of women. There our focus will not be on each other, on physical delights, and sensual lusts, but our focus will be on our Lord and God who loves us with an inexhaustible love.

David Robison