Since the topic came up in class the other day, here’s some links.
This is Yusuf Estes, a well-known Islamic scholar, on the topic: Question & Answer About Virgin Women in Heaven.
This is from Margaret K. Nydell’s book, Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times:
And this article, which mentions that “After all, the goal of every real believer in Allah, is not to find a hot babes in hot tubs.”
I don’t feel that any of you necessarily believe that Muslims want to go to heaven just for sensual pleasures, but I just wanted to clear up any potential confusion there may have been.
That was pretty nice. I liked it. I am glad that there are people like Margaret K. Nydell in this world.
And of course there’s no doubt that Yusuf Estes is a remarkable man.
🙂
I have read the Quran 3 times in Arabic and am currently in my fourth run through it. I of course do not understand Arabic, but reading it is very soothing. After I completed it the second time, I decided to read a translation in English. Nowhere in that specific translation were 72 virgins mentioned and I doubt that any other translation would feature the claim either. Pure fantasy.
According to the video of Mr. Estes that you have chosen to share, women in heaven do not menstruate and digestive systems are different. Are these comments based on any statements found in the Quran?
The Quran and Hadith (the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad) say that those who are in heaven will be pure, beautiful, youthful, and will not have to worry about bodily functions or any of the vices that affect us in this world. Since menstruation is not considered pure, it would not be in heaven. Likewise, there would be no need to use the bathroom in heaven. Qualities such as envy, lust, greed, etc would not be around either.
As for exact quotes, I do not think the Quran says anything specifically about menstruation and digestive systems in heaven. Most of the descriptions of heaven and hell come from the Hadith.