Paradise is the abode for those who fear Allah most. The Qur’an is keeping telling us about the different grades of Paradise and those who will be admitted to such elevated positions. Thus, we find the Qur’an illustrates : [But it is for those who fear their Lord. That lofty mansions, one above another, have been built: beneath them flow rivers (of delight): (such is) the Promise of Allah: never doth Allah fail in (His) promise.](Az-Zumur 39:20)
The more a Muslim does to bring himself closer to Allah, the higher degree he or she will be in Paradise. So, let’s focus on elevating our position in Paradise by working hard for it.
The eminent Muslim scholar and renowned Da`iyah, Sheikh `Abdel Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef, states:
1. It should be clear that the levels of Paradise are open for all people on condition that they work for it in this worldly life in a way that qualifies them for gaining the level they long for and Allah’s pleasure. So, the way to gain the highest rank in Paradise is doing righteous deeds and get Allah’s help and guidance.
2. Residents of Paradise can see each other. So, a person in Paradise can see another resident he wants even if he is in another rank or level.
3. A resident in a certain level in Paradise may be promoted to a higher rank if he received an intercession qualifying him for the higher rank. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that among the degrees of intercession is upgrading the levels of people in Paradise.
The following Qur’anic verse can be taken as evidence: [And they who believe and whose seed follow them in faith, We cause their seed to join them (there), and We deprive them of naught of their (life’s) work. Every man is a pledge for that which he hath earned.] (At-Tur 52: 21)
This kind of intercession will be granted to Prophets, the righteous people and the righteous parents or sons after Almighty Allah permits them and He accepts it from them in regard to the people they interceded for.
Moreover, Dr. Ahmad As-Suwei` Shleibak, Member of the Fiqh Council of North America and Member of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America (AMJA), states:
Almighty Allah and His messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) command us to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah, and whoever does follow that as Allah wants then he will enter Jannah, and the more the person gets closer to Allah the higher his place in Jannah will be.
Any Muslim in a certain degree or rank of Paradise can only go to a higher rank with Allah’s will and permission. And it is reported that all Muslims in Paradise will be able to see anyone in Paradise they want to see with Allah’s permission. It is also reported that
residents of Paradise meet on certain days.
Let’s work for gaining Allah’s pleasure and make du`a’ asking Him to grant you and us all the highest level in Paradise.