Muslim paradise versus Christian heaven

In the Koran, Allah describes the Muslim paradise as follows: “They (those who are close to God) lie opposite one another on couches with a gold thread, while eternally young boys make the rounds among them with tankards and jugs (full of wine?) And a mug (full) of spring water (to be mixed in?), from which they neither get a headache nor get drunk and (with all kinds of) fruits, whatever (always) they want, and meat from poultry whatever they want. And wide-eyed Huris (they have them at their disposal) to compare (in their beauty) well-kept pearls”(Sura 56: 15-23). Sura 52.20 describes what is meant by Huris: “We give them wide-eyed Huris as wives

The Muslim paradise seems to be a land of milk and honey, in which the man is served by boys and can take of several women.

According to tradition, Allah is in seventh heaven behind the lotus tree and not even the angel Gabriel is allowed to go to him. Allah lives for himself.

Christian heaven

Jesus, on the other hand, speaks of preparing homes for his followers (John 14: 2-3). One serves another in his kingdom (John 13: 14-15; 15: 12). Relationship with God is the focus (Revelation 21: 3). Earthly needs will no longer exist (for examples sexuality: Matthew 22:30). A newly shaped joy will fill people which we know little here, and which cannot be passed over into earthly life. Paul calls these “indescribable words” (2 Corinthians 12: 4). God himself will wipe away the tears of his children (Revelation 21: 4). Jesus taught that all who receive him into their lives (open the door for him, Revelation 3: 20) and walk with him, become children of God (John 1: 12) so that they may be where he is (John 14:3). Christian heaven is not about a place, it is about fellowship with God. Whoever accepts the offer of forgiveness from God through Jesus comes as a prerequisite, already here God’s presence through the Holy Spirit and he changes him. In order to reach heaven, we have to want God and Jesus and spend time with him already here. Christian longing is not a place, but a person: Jesus.

The main differences are: Christian heaven is about fellowship with God. In the Muslim paradise, Allah seems to be absent. In the Christian heaven one helps each other. In the Muslim paradise there are servants and masters. It seems that the women lie on the couches only when the man asks for them. It is also not clear who the young men and the wives are. Are these other Muslims?

When Muslims and Christians are saved on their own terms, they will not be in the same place.