Eternal life is not called “heaven” in the Qur'an. The Muslim concept of a
heavenly reward is much different than it is described in the Bible.
Thirty-seven paraphrased verses from the Qur'an are included in this chapter to
better explain the Muslim view of the Gardens of Paradise.
The Qur'an describes these gardens as places of sensual pleasures. Some of
these pleasures were those denied to Muslims while on earth. On earth, Muslim
men were limited in the number of wives they could have at one time. The Qur'an
promises an unlimited supply of virgins waiting for them on plush cushions in
protected tents. Another earthly restriction was against the drinking of
alcohol. In the Eternal Gardens there are endless supplies of wine, which can be
drunk without harmful consequences. The residents of the Gardens are continually
grateful.
The image of heaven, revealed in the Bible, does not include sexual
relations. The Lord Jesus made it clear that those in heaven will not be
married, but will be like the angels of God (Matthew 22:30). The prevailing
image of heaven in the Bible is that of worship of God and fellowship between
people from every ethnic group (Revelation 7:9).