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The Islamic paradise and its “72” pure virgins.

By Ioannis Ath. Baltzoi*

One of the controversial issues in Islamic soteriological theology is the reward for those who live virtuously and piously, which culminates in entry into the afterlife. paradise (jannah), in which those who enter will enjoy, among other things, earthly pleasures, something that is not so clear in other salvation theologies, such as Christianity. The Islamic popular perception that exists is that the Islamic paradise is so beautiful, with wonderful trees and surroundings, with human pleasures, where it is also sensual, and the pious who go to it will be rewarded by Allah "with 72 virgins - women of paradise (uri), who are in full maturity and have large breasts". There are many sources, including the Quran, which state that virtuous men will be rewarded with virgins and there is no dispute about this. The question of authenticity only exists regarding the number 72, because there are few references to the number of virgins and these have to do with tradition (Hadith) and not with the Quran itself.

The number of 72 virgins is not mentioned in the Quran. It is mentioned in chapter (sura) 56, verses (ayat) 35, 36,38, XNUMX, that faithful Muslims will be rewarded in heaven with virgins. Here it is:

QURAN CHAPTER 56: THE EVENT (Al Waqiyya)

56:35. We forged the uri of Paradise in a special way.

56:36. And we kept them pure virgins.

56:38. These are reserved for right-wing people

56:8. Others will go to the right-blessed are those on the right!

The Qur'an also describes the physical characteristics of virgins such as, for example, they will have big eyes (Cor. 37:48, 49) and large breasts (Cor. 78:33).

KORAN. CHAPTER 37. THE CLASSES (al Shafat)

37:48. They will be surrounded by pure virgins with big black eyes.

37:49. Which will have a color that will resemble the eggs of ostriches.

KORAN, CHAP. 78 THE ANNOUNCEMENT (al-Naba)

78:31. A happy life is reserved for the righteous.

78:32 gardens and vineyards

78:33 girls with big breasts, their age

78:34 and jugs full

78:36 This is your Lord's reward. She is Enough.

Therefore the number of 72 virgins is of secondary importance and becomes specific in the books of Islamic tradition (Hadith), which convey both the words and actions of the prophet Muhammad or even his approval of what was said or done before him. The books of Islamic tradition are today recognized as the second foundation of Islam after the Qur'an. Their existence lies in the need for a secondary auxiliary source to supplement the Qur'an for the interpretation of problems not directly answered by the Qur'an itself.

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For example, in Sunan Ibn Majah, one of the six major Hadith, there is the following report: "The messenger of God said, 'Every man who is accepted into Paradise by God will marry 72 women, two of whom will be Uri (female entities of Paradise of divine beauty) and 70 inheritance from those who reside in Hell. All of them will have sensual organs and the man will have an eternal erection of the penis.'» (Sunan Ibn Majah, 39). Similarly, in another Hadith report it is stated by many narrators that the martyr of Islam (shahid) will be rewarded with 72 women of paradise among others.

In Sunan al-Tirmidhi, another of the six major collections of traditions, the following is stated: "The Prophet said: 'The least reward for the world of Paradise is a house, where there are eighty thousand servants and 72 urs, over which there is a dome decorated with pearls, blue-green and scarlet, with a vast expanse'" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 4 ch. 21). Also in the very important book of traditions Sunan al-Kubra, there are constant references to 70 women for whoever enters Paradise and who will be strengthened by God with the strength of 100 men not only in food and drink but also in sex."

Great theologians of Islam, such as the Persian Al-Ghazali (1058 – 1111 AD), who also writes about the 72 virgins, in the book "The Revival of the Religious Sciences", as a reward for the faithful Muslim, dealt with this topic in heaven.

Islam forbids suicide, however self-sacrifice for the cause of Islam is permitted and rewarded. The Quran says that all men will be rewarded in heaven with virgins. But the same book says that the martyrs of Islam, that is, those who fight in the way of God (jihad) will have a greater reward, without specifying exactly what it means when it says about greater reward, without specifying exactly what it means when it says about greater reward. They come to fill this gap that exists in the Koran the interpretations of the Hadiths that speak of the specific number of 72 virgins, as one of the seven blessings of God to the martyr of Islam. In this way, reference to the number 72 prevailed and to be associated with the suicide attacks. This issue took on an international dimension and became known to the Western world when the suicide attacks in the Palestinian territories began to increase, with the attacks of the Hamas organization. Also, this topic is often mentioned in the Friday sermons and in Hamas television broadcasts in the Palestinian territories.

It is clear that in Islam the earthly social dominance of men over women is clearly visible even in the Muslim paradise. In other words, earthly male polygamy continues as a reward in paradise. The Islamic paradise, as described, is by definition sensual, promising virtuous Muslims sensual virgins, without specifying their exact number. In the books of traditions (Hadith), which have a complementary character in the interpretation of the Quran, reference is repeatedly made to the number of 72 virgins, providing details regarding their characteristics, such as beautiful, large eyes, large breasts, white skin, eternal youth, etc. Details are also mentioned regarding the characteristics of the men who enter paradise, such as a penis with a permanent erection and sexual power that will satisfy 100 women. The Quran does not specifically state what it means when it speaks of a greater reward for the martyrs of Islam (Shahid), but the Hadiths identify the number of 72 virgins as one of the six blessings of Allah.

SOURCES:

• KORAN, CHAPTERS 37, 56, 78
• Article by Christos Iakovos, Director of the Cyprus Studies Center, "The 72 virgins of the Islamic paradise", dated 18/4/2016, on the website https://hellasjournal.com/

*Ioannis Ath. Baltzoi is an Antgos e.a., M.Sc. of the National University of Athens, president of ELISME.