The Islamic term "Jannatul Firdaus" (جنّة الفردوس) means the highest level of paradise. This Arabic phrase comes from the Quran; Allah mentions Jannatul Firdaus in Surah Mu'minoon and Surah Kahf. Jannatul Firdaus comprises two words, "Jannah," meaning garden or paradise, and "Firdaus," which is the highest, most splendid part of paradise.
The term "Firdaus" has been described further in the tafseer of the Quran. It means "a vast garden adjoining the dwelling of a person and enclosed by defense walls, containing all kinds of fruit trees, especially vines."According to Ma'arif ul-Quran, "The word الْفِرْدَوْسِ (al-Firdaus) in جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ (gardens of Firdaus) means a verdant valley full of fruits and flowers - with reference to paradise." Thus, Jannatul Firdaus can be translated into English as "The Highest Garden in Paradise." The most noteworthy attributes of this level of Jannah are the closeness to Allah and eternal bliss for the steadfast believers.
In Jami` at-Tirmidhi, chapters on the description of paradise, 'Ubadah bin As-Samit (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "In paradise, there are a hundred levels, what is between every two levels is like what is between the heavens and the Earth. Al-Firdaus is its highest level, and from it, the four rivers of paradise are made to flow forth. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaus."(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2531).
1. Jannatul - jən-nə-tul
Jan: Pronounced like "Jan"
Sounds like: jun in junction
Na: Pronounced like "ná"
Sounds like: na in naan
Tul: Pronounced like "túl" with a soft “t”
Sounds like: ul in pull
2. Firdaus - fer-daws
Fir: Pronounced like "fer" with a lighter I sound. It is not pronounced like fuh or feh, but fih.
Sounds like: fir
Daus: Pronounced like "dows"
Sounds like: doss as in boss
Putting It All Together
Tips for Pronunciation:
Jannatul Firdaus is a specific term implying the highest level of Jannah, an umbrella term referring to all levels of paradise. Jannah, also known as Jannat, has several other variations listed below.
Jannatul Firdaus (جنّة الفردوس) is the highest level of paradise according to the words of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and His Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ). It is described as the ultimate abode of eternal bliss and closeness to Allah for the most righteous. There is no clear picture or description of Jannat given in Islam as it is unimaginable, yet it is characterized as a place of "eternal bliss." The concept of a rewarding place, such as a garden of paradise after death, exists in almost all religions and faiths. Islam has given us believing Muslims a stronger and clearer understanding of this concept of Heaven to help us firm our Imaan (faith/belief).
To stand firm on our faith, understanding the significance of Jannatul Firdaus helps cultivate a strong foundation of hopeful reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Muslims often recall Jannatul Firdaus in their daily prayers and supplications to reignite their faith and desire to attain the highest of rewards. It is recommended by the Prophet (ﷺ) to mention it in worship, personal reflection, and when offering condolences.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) advised his companions to frequently ask Allah to grant them and their loved ones a place in Jannatul Firdaus. The belief in Akhirat and picturing its pinnacle of success, Jannatul Firdaus sustains the Muslim to continue striving in this life on Earth. Allah's beloved Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-Firdaus, which is the best and highest part of Paradise." (Sahih Bukhari: 7423)
Supported by the following, reminding a believing person of Jannatul Firdaus in their times of grief is a Sunnah. It provides them solace and reaffirms their faith that those steadfast in the cause of Allah receive the highest benefit from Him.
Anas narrated that ar-Rubaiyi' daughter of al-Bara', who was the mother of Haritha b. Suraqa came to the Prophet and said, "Prophet of God, will you not tell me about Haritha? (He had been killed at the battle of Badr, being struck by a random arrow.) If he is in paradise, I shall show endurance, but if he has met another fate, I shall exert myself in weeping for him." He replied, "Mother of Haritha, in paradise there are gardens, and your son has attained to al-Firdaus, the highest." (Mishkat al-Masabih 3809 and Sahih al-Bukhari 6567, 6568)
Specifically mentioned in the Quran, Jannatul Firdaus is an abode of supreme bliss reserved for the most devout believers. It is described as the epitome of success for the truly believing and steadfast, who dedicate themselves to fulfilling what is demanded by Allah.
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ كَانَتْ لَہُمْ جَنّٰتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا۱۰۷ۙ
[Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati kanat lahum jannatu alfirdawsi nuzulan]
But surely those who believe and do the right will have gardens of paradise as gift, (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:107)
In Surah Muminoon, the word الْفِرْدَوْسِ (al-Firdaus) is specifically mentioned as the reward for those that fulfills the qualities of the True Believers, الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ (al-Mu'minoon)
الَّذِيْنَ يَرِثُوْنَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ۰ۭ ہُمْ فِيْہَا خٰلِدُوْنَ۱۱
[Allatheena yarithoona alfirdawsa hum feeha khalidoona]
Who will inherit paradise and live in it forever. (Surah al-Muminoon, 23:11)
The significance of Jannatul Firdaus and striving in the way of Allah is mentioned in a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) in the Chapter Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) of Sahih Bukhari.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said that paradise has one hundred grades, which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-Firdaus which is the best and highest part of paradise." (i.e., The sub-narrator added, "I think the Prophet also said, 'Above it (i.e., Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e., Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2790).
Another similar narration details the responsibilities and obligations in Islam for those who believe in Tawhid in a chapter dedicated to it in Sahih Bukhari. Jannatul Firdaus is the ultimate residence for those who fulfill these duties.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allah's cause or stays in the land where he was born." They (the companions of the Prophet) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Should we not inform the people of that?" He said, "There are one hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth, so if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of paradise and the highest part of paradise, and at its top, there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 7423).
Jannatul Firdaus is considered the pinnacle of Paradise in Islam, the ultimate reward for the dedicated and righteous Mu'min (the true believers). The Quran and Hadith impart profound lessons of eternal bliss and closeness to Allah achieved by living with steadfast faith, piety, and good deeds. It helps the believers shape their belief in the afterlife, motivating them to submit their lives completely to Allah.With an ambitious goal for Jannatul Firdaus for their afterlife, Muslims aim for personal salvation and the collective betterment of humanity on Earth through the guidance of Islam. May Allah grant all those who earnestly seek Jannatul Firdaus the ultimate abode of serenity.
