Paradise/Garden of Eden/Gardens:-
Like so many other words - and concepts - in his Quran, Muhammad PLAGIARIZED, PLUNDERED, PIRATED and/or PERVERTED from the Hebrew (Pardess) meaning a (Grove) and from the Zoroaterian Persians (Firdaws).
Paradise is synonymous with the Garden of Eden, which in Jewish tradition is the abode of sanctified souls after death.
Muhammad filled his Quran with verses that depict a Garden that is replenished with all the delights of the senses, with rivers of milk, wine, sweet water and honey, with trees that are laden with all sorts of fruits, etc that he copied - as usual - from one of the books of the Apocrypha (II Esdras 2:19) and Midrash (The Ascension of Moses) called Gedullat Mosheh, of which there is a manuscript of an Arabic translation in the library of Berlin.
In the Christian tradition of the Revelation of Peter, Paradise is described in a similar manner. All these traditions and influences were available to Muhammad since he was actually surrounded by them and was able to pick and choose what suited his purposes at will.
Unlike Muhammad's concept of a PHYSICAL and BODILY existence in the Garden, the Jewish & Christian traditions exclude eating and carnal activities because the righteous will be in the SPIRIT to only enjoy the brilliance of the Shekhina, the Divine Presence (Berakhot 17a).
Pre Islamic Arabs had no such word or even such a concept in existence. The word Paradise appears in (S18:107; 23:11) while the Garden appears in dozens of verses.
9: 72 Allah hath promised to believers men and women Gardens [Jannati] under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in Gardens [Jannati Aden] of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss in the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity.
61: 12 He will forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens [Jannati] beneath which rivers flow and to beautiful mansions in Gardens of Eternity [Jannati A'den]: that is indeed the supreme Achievement.
*** The translation of the above two verses is WRONG because 'Jannati' is SINGULAR and should have read 'Garden' and not the plural Gardens.
Moreover, the second 'Gardens' actually reads in Arabic "... Jannati A'den..." which should have been translated to "...the Garden of Eden..." ***
76:1 Has there not been over Man a long period of Time when he was nothing--(not even) mentioned?
2 Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm in order to try him: so We gave him (the gifts) of Hearing and Sight.
3 We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).
4 For the Rejecters We have prepared Chains Yokes and a Blazing Fire.
5 As to the Righteous they shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Kafur
6 A Fountain where the Devotees of Allah do drink making it flow in unstinted abundance.
7 They perform (their) vows and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.
8 And they feed for the love of Allah the indigent the orphan and the captive
9 (Saying) "We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: No reward do we desire from you nor thanks.
10 "We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord."
11 But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day and will shed over them a light of Beauty and a (blissful) Joy.
12 And because they were patient and constant He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.
13 Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold.
14 And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them and the bunches (of fruit) there will hang low in humility.
15 And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal
16 Crystal-clear made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes).
17 And they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Zanjabil
18 A fountain there called Salsabil.
19 And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): if thou seest them thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls.
20 And when thou lookest it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
21 Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
22 "Verily this is a Reward for you and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized."
78: 31 Verily for the righteous there will be a fulfillment of (the Heart's) desires;
32 Gardens enclosed and Grape-vines;
33 Companions of Equal Age;
34 And a Cup full (to the Brim).
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 4.48 Narrated byAbu Huraira
The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah's cause or remains in the land where he is born."
The people said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shall we acquaint the people with this good news?"
He said, "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 the 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.")
*** Muhammad's Quran invariably offers its followers enormous rewards - of the flesh and of pleasures - IN DEATH, the same that they are prohibited to have IN LIFE ***
