Fatwa ID: 08069

Answered by: Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Question:

How do we understand the plural Jannaat but also that there is Jannah? Is it that Jannah is a name for the abode of reward, but within it are Jannaat?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The distinction between Jannah (singular) and Jannaat (plural – with a madd on the yaa in Arabic lexicology) is addressed in various Tafsir works, which provide insights into their meanings and implications.

Jannah as the General Abode:

In Surah An-Najm, verse 15, the term “جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ” (Jannat-ul-Ma’wa, “the Garden of Abode”) is mentioned. Tafsir Ma’ariful Qur’an explains that “Jannah is called Ma’wa because it is man’s original abode. This is where Adam and Hawwa were created; from here they were sent down to the earth; and this is where the people of Paradise will be sent back to reside permanently.”[1]

In another instance in Surah Al-A’raf, verse 19:

وَيَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

Here, the word Jannat (singular) is mentioned when referring to Adam and Hawwa (peace be upon them) in the transcendental abode.

Jannaat as Multiple Gardens:

For example, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 107, the term “جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ” (Jannaat-ul-Firdaws, “Gardens of Firdaws”) (here, gardens are plural, referencing the plurality) is used. Tafsir Maariful Qur’an notes that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When you ask of Allah, ask for Jannatul-Firdaus because it is the highest and the superior most rank of Jannah.” This indicates that within the overarching Jannah, there are multiple levels or gardens, each with its own rank and distinction.

In Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, it mentions:

Allah tells us about His blessed servants, those who believed in Allah and His Messengers and accepted as truth what the Messengers brought. He tells us that they will have the Gardens of Al-Firdaws (Paradise). Abu Umamah said, “Al-Firdaws is the centre of Paradise.” Qatadah said, “Al-Firdaws is a hill in Paradise, at its centre, the best of it.” This was also narrated from Samurah and attributed to the Prophet,

«الْفِرْدَوْسُ رَبْوَةُ الْجَنَّةِ أَوْسَطُهَا وَأَحْسَنُهَا»

(Al-Firdaws is a hill in Paradise, at its centre, the best of it.)

In conclusion, looking at Tafsir literature elucidates that Jannah refers to the singular, encompassing Paradise, while Jannaat (with a madd on the yaa in Arabic lexicology) denotes the multiple gardens or levels within it, each offering varying degrees of bliss and reward to its inhabitants.[2]

I hope that this answers the question.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by
Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] https://quran.com/53%3A15/tafsirs/en-tafsir-maarif-ul-quran?utm_source
[2] https://quran.com/18%3A107/tafsirs/en-tafsir-maarif-ul-quran?utm_source