Are Men and Women Equal in Paradise?

Are women inferior to men?  Should they have the same status as men?  It appears not, at least according to the teachings of Islam. For example, in an Islamic court of law their testimony is not equivalent to a man’s.

Are men and women equal in paradise? Or are they still second class citizens, as they are on earth? Is Islamic paradise a paradise for women?  Or just a paradise for men? Good questions!

In Paradise, Are Wives Still Wives?

Women, married on earth, are still wives in Paradise. The difference is that in heaven they are no longer impure (Qs 2:25).  Women see this as good news for themselves. But it’s really intended to be good news for men. Women who don’t have a monthly period anymore are thus always available for sex. In heaven they lose their only excuse (the monthly period) to refuse their husband’s sexual demands.

It is also not clear whether the pure companions the Al-Quran promises to men are their earthly wives or whether they are the 70 houris that will be given to men in Paradise. Wives on earth are still wives in heaven, but their husbands also have beautiful houris for sexual favors.  So is it paradise for Muslim women when they have to share their husbands with 70 other women?

Who Has Priority In Paradise?

Paradise seems to be a man’s world. Women are not there because of what they’ve done. Men are the ones who receive the rewards.

Men will eat well and drink anything they want. “They will be reclining on thrones lined up, and We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes” (Qs 52:20).

Qs 37:44-48 states that men receive fruits and high honor. They lay on couches and “loving wives with big black and white eyes” give them spring water.

Qs 44:51-55 has a different emphasis. It says, “Indeed the Righteous will be in secure place; within gardens and springs, wearing [garments of] fine silk and brocade, facing each other. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes. There will call therein for every [kind of] fruit – safe and secure.”  

Are Their Rewards in Paradise for Women?    

Women are promised Paradise, but without any rewards. Men are rewarded beautiful women. The Quran gives no explanation of rewards for women.  It appears women get nothing.

In some Quranic passages women and men are welcomed equally into Paradise. In other passages, women seem to be replaced by the dark-eyed houris. It is obvious that Paradise is a reward for men and not for women.

Are There More Men Than Women in Paradise?

In addition to women getting less rewards than men, Muhammad stated that he believed most of the people in Hell would be women.

One hadith states: “I was shown Hell and I have never seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that the majority of its people are women.” They said, “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because of their ingratitude (kufr).” It was said, “Are they ungrateful to Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, ‘I have never had anything good from you’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1052).

If the majority of the people in heaven are women, the math tells us that there will be a majority of men in paradise.

A True and Wonderful Paradise for Women

God’s Holy Word gives a very different view of Paradise. In the Injil, Isa Al-Masih says, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Injil, Matthew12:25).

Everyone will be equal in Paradise. Men and women alike will be standing around God’s throne worshiping him. “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever’” (Injil, Revelation 5:13).

Men and women enter heaven in the same way. They both must believe in Isa Al-Masih as the payment for their sin that separates them from God.  The cost to redeem both men and women from sin is exactly the same, the blood of the Savior, “…with the precious blood of Christ…” (Injil, I Peter 1:19).  Thus men and women are equal in the site of God!
There is only one way to get to Paradise. That way is through Isa Al-Masih. He himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Injil, John 14:6).

[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6). For a deeper understanding of Isa we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha” at this link.]

SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW

We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
1.) Why aren’t women and men equal in Paradise?
2.) Why did Muhammad see that there were more women than men in hell?
3.) How is the way Paradise described in the Injil different form the Quran?

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