This results from many reasons, the principal among which is the widespread misconception among Muslims that the Bible has been altered over time. As a result of this, it could be challenging to evangelise Muslims using the traditional methods that most Christians use. This study, like that of the Apostle in Athens (Acts 17), aims to address how to evangelise Muslims by using shared beliefs about paradise as a common ground. We can also evangelise them by leveraging on other areas of similarity, such as their belief in Jesus as a prophet or historical accounts and archaeological evidence that support Biblical teachings
Understanding Paradise in Islam for Muslim Evangelism in Nigeria
The concept of paradise is core to both the Christian and Islamic faith. Both religions teach that life does not end after the physical death of the human body. This, therefore, makes the concept of paradise central in both religions. The Christian Bible records that “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”(Hebrew 9:27). In another event, the Christian Bible records that “Jesus answered him, “truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
These records convincingly affirm the certainty that the life of every Christian does not end after the death of their physical body. “In Islam, death is not the end of life. Another kind of life will begin for a man after his death” (Doi, 1981,26). The Qur’an says, “Verily, the dwellers of the paradise that day will be busy in joyful things…” (Surah 36:55-58). Therefore, in an age that prioritises the here and now, it has become necessary to have a correct and balanced teaching that arouses and points the human conscience to the truth of the reality of paradise in the afterlife as a strategy to win Muslims to the Christian Faith.
The Concept of Paradise in Islam
The Islamic concept of paradise, Jannah, describes it as a place of eternal reward for righteous individuals. It is described in the Qur’an as a place with physical pleasures such as gardens, beautiful “Hour is” (woman), a wine that has no after effects, and divine pleasure.
The word “Jannah,” which means “to cover or hide something” (Huda, 2019). In essence, paradise afterlife for good and faithful Muslims” (Huda, 2019). In the Qur’an, paradise is explicitly understood as the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were before the fall (Cyril, 2008, 268). Paradise is located above the seven skies and is not attached to any of them (Tazkiyah Network,2011).
Paradise Has Already Been Created: Umar (2005, 27) stated that “Paradise and hell have already been created. Allah, the Exalted, created paradise and hell before the rest of creation, and He created inhabitants for each of them.” The Hadith also records Allah saying, “I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never crossed the mind of any human being” (Hadith3244).
There is no one way into Paradise: There are many gates by which they will be led in. There are gates through which adherents will enter as the angels lead them on (Qur’an 38: 50; 13: 23-24). “The number of gates in paradise is eight” (Umar, 2005, 188). Entrance into these gates depends on the righteous deeds performed by adherents (Umar, 2005, 188). Those people who strive and fight in the path of God for the sake of Islam will be called from the gate of Jihad to come into paradise. When asked if anyone would be called from all the eight gates of paradise, the prophet responded, “Yes, and I hope you will be one of the people whose name will be called out from all eight gates of paradise” (Umar, 2005, 188). What is unique about the eight gates of paradise is that the gates are reserved for specific deeds such as prayer, charity, fasting, and Jihad. Persons who are regular and consistent in one of these deeds will be called out from one of these gates, while anyone regular and consistent in multiple deeds will have his name called out from various gates (Umar, 2005, 188).
Marriage in Paradise: When asked about the wives in paradise, Umar (2005, 294) asserted that “when the believer enters paradise, if his wife is righteous on earth, she will be his wife in paradise too, and a woman who was married more than once will be with the last of her husbands, while Allah the merciful will marry the believers in paradise to beautiful
Rewards in Paradise: According to All M., among the many rewards promised to falthful53:20. Also promised are virgins whom no demon nor man has ever touched (All, 1999, 94).sensual features. These hadiths affirm that each faithful Muslim will be entitled to several thousand women as mere objects of male satisfaction. Moshay (2002, 117) explained that there will be whom no person or angel has deflowered, known as “pure spouses,” who are all there in paradise. Hundred (500) hours is, four thousand (4,000) virgins and eight (8,000) non-virgins, making twelve thousand (12, 000) women altogether-just for one person!”
In another Hadith, Mohammad is quoted as asserting that “the low list of the inhabitants of2002, 117). According to some commentators, these servants are regarded as female servants, as they could not understand why a man would have so many males to “serve” him. This position may have informed the convictions of some young Islamic boys and men who chose to commit suicide, killing thousands of people, in the quest of going to paradise, which held the promise of pleasure at the bosom of women.
This means that paradise’s pleasures and delights are inconceivable. In the space below, suggest ways to combat these Islamic positions about paradise.
Areas of Similarities in Christianity and Islamic Conception of Paradise
- In both Islamic and Christian faiths, the Garden is the most frequent symbol of paradise: Paradise as a garden in Islamic thought (Surah 56:10-14; 27-39) is perceived as a place of delights and favoured, and blessing of Allah,1shardly、pleasure that is settled for the righteous, understandable by the current state of man. It is explicitly understood as the Garden of Eden, the Christian notion of the “Garden of Eden” as a synonym for paradise. Most Christian (evangelical)
- Paradise is the incomprehensible abode of God: If paradise remains the abode of God as that knowledge cannot and will not fully grasp or comprehend the fullness and absolute reality of knowledge of paradise, we can make do with what has been proven as divinely revealed by God with correct Biblical testimony.
Both religions establish that entering paradise is strictly based on meeting specific criteria. For instance, in the Christian religion, an individual who desires to gain paradise must have been born again; that is, such a person must have acknowledged and surrendered to the supremacy and Lordship of Jesus Christ. In Islam, only the righteous and those whom Allah deems fit will make it into paradise. The Qur’an records that there will be an angel guarding the gate entrance to paradise, checking if one has met the requirement for entry.
- Soul Satisfaction: Both religions affirm the transition of a bodily element called the soul to paradise. “In Christian understanding, the human body is just like a container which houses God’s Spirit, and through which the soul personality exists to function meaningfully as designed by God”(Akintola, 2020, 239). The soul is an eternal part of the human composition that never dies. After death, the soul transits from the mortal body to the afterlife. The souls that transited from the bodily form into the paradise will have their needs satisfied. Against the pleasures and sensual desire of the body that would have been long decayed to the ground, the earnest desire of a righteous soul will be met. As mentioned, not all souls will be allowed entrance into paradise; only regenerated and sanctified souls will gain access to paradise.
Take-Home for Muslim Evangelism in Nigeria
- The adherents of both religions desire to know where the afterlife will be spent. This similar desire must be duly leveraged to give a guided and coherent desire. Therefore, to reach Muslims in Nigeria with the Gospel of Christ, a real hunger and thirst for what is beyond this present life should be initiated and formed in the people. Thus causing them to accept, with godly and enduring faith and hope, the message of the Gospel.
- To reach the Muslims in Nigeria with the Gospel of Christ, they must be taught that admittance to paradise is not as cheap as having a mere desire. After having a healthy desire, there are requirements for gaining admittance into paradise, which is built on believing in the finished works of Jesus Christ, works of righteousness, and God’s supreme verdict. Therefore, persons who desire admittance into paradise must earnestly and diligently pursue this principal requirement.
However, this soul must have been regenerated and sanctified daily to gain paradise. Having desires here on earth, and many more will be satisfied in paradise. This claim also informs us of their logical follows that where it will reside (in paradise) will also be eternal.
- Both religions acknowledge the fulfilment of the ultimate desire of a man, which is the worship of the worship of Supreme Being. As long as man still lives in this bodily form, he continues to pursue and try to fill this vacuum. Fortunately, admittance into paradise with God avails the opportunity to fulfil man’s highest desire. It will be a privilege to be part of the heavenly choral ensemble (saints) who will unceasingly worship God.
Conclusion
Understanding paradise in Christian and Islamic faith is a potent tool for Muslim evangelism in Nigeria. In both faiths, paradise is understood as a place the human soul transits to after death. This study extracts specific practical implications for Muslim evangelisation in Nigeria. Amongst them are the worship of the Transcendental Being, soul satisfaction, the literariness of paradise, and specific requirements for admittance. Among the many other tools for evangelising Muslims, these known and agreed truths can be used as a starting point to share our own stories and invite them to consider a relationship with Jesus. We can help them open their heart to the gospel message as sent apostles to Muslims.
