Houri (Heavenly Virgin): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
broken links
No edit summary
m (broken links)
Line 9: Line 9:
Orthodox Muslim theologians such as Al-Ghazali (1058 - 1111 CE) and Al-Ash'ari (874 - 935 CE) have discussed the rewards and pleasures found in [[heaven]]. Often scholars refer to hadiths that describe heaven as a [[Slavery|slave]] market where there will be "no buy and sale, but... If any man will wish to have sexual intercourse with a woman, he will do at once."<ref>"''Ali reported that the Apostle of Allah said, "There is in Paradise a market wherein there will be no buying or selling, but will consist of men and women. When a man desires a beauty, he will have intercourse with them.''" - Al Hadis, Vol. 4, p. 172, No. 34</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences3">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|quote=A man asked the Prophet : 0 Prophet of God, will the inmates of Paradise have sexual intercourse ? He said: Anybody among them will be given sexual strength of seven, persons among you. The Prophet said : An inmate of Paradise will have five hundred hurs, four thousand unmarried women and eight thousand widowed women. Each of them will keep embracing him for the duration of his whole worldly life time. He also said: There will be markets in Paradise in which there will be no buy and sale, but there will be men and women. If any man will wish to have sexual intercourse with a woman, he will do at once. The Hurs will sing in Paradise on divine purity and praise-we are most beautiful Hurs and we are for the honoured husbands.|series=Death and Subsequent Events 430 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>  
Orthodox Muslim theologians such as Al-Ghazali (1058 - 1111 CE) and Al-Ash'ari (874 - 935 CE) have discussed the rewards and pleasures found in [[heaven]]. Often scholars refer to hadiths that describe heaven as a [[Slavery|slave]] market where there will be "no buy and sale, but... If any man will wish to have sexual intercourse with a woman, he will do at once."<ref>"''Ali reported that the Apostle of Allah said, "There is in Paradise a market wherein there will be no buying or selling, but will consist of men and women. When a man desires a beauty, he will have intercourse with them.''" - Al Hadis, Vol. 4, p. 172, No. 34</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences3">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|quote=A man asked the Prophet : 0 Prophet of God, will the inmates of Paradise have sexual intercourse ? He said: Anybody among them will be given sexual strength of seven, persons among you. The Prophet said : An inmate of Paradise will have five hundred hurs, four thousand unmarried women and eight thousand widowed women. Each of them will keep embracing him for the duration of his whole worldly life time. He also said: There will be markets in Paradise in which there will be no buy and sale, but there will be men and women. If any man will wish to have sexual intercourse with a woman, he will do at once. The Hurs will sing in Paradise on divine purity and praise-we are most beautiful Hurs and we are for the honoured husbands.|series=Death and Subsequent Events 430 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>  


It is quoted by Ibn Kathir, in his [[Tafsir|Qur'anic Commentary]], the Tafsir ibn Kathir,<ref>[http://www.islam-universe.com/tafsir_ibn_kathir/55.51771.html These two gardens are lower, in virtue and in status than the two before them, as supported in the Qur'an]</ref> and they are graphically described by Qur'anic commentator and polymath, Al-Suyuti (died 1505), who, echoing a [[Sahih]] [[hadith]]<ref name="SP 4828">Shaykh Gibril Haddad - [http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I How Many Wives Will The Believers Have In Paradise?] - SunniPath, Question ID:4828, July 3, 2005</ref> from Ibn Majah,<ref name="Ibn Majah 39">"''Abu Umama narrated: "The Messenger of God said, 'Everyone that God admits into paradise will be married to 72 wives; two of them are houris and seventy of his inheritance of the [female] dwellers of hell. All of them will have libidinous sex organs and he will have an ever-erect penis.' ''" - Sunan Ibn Majah, Zuhd (Book of Abstinence) 39</ref> wrote that the perpetual virgins will all "have appetizing vaginas", and that the "penis of the Elected never softens. The [[Priapism - Permanent Erection|erection is eternal]]."<ref name="Al-Suyuti">"''Each time we sleep with a Houri we find her virgin. Besides, the penis of the Elected never softens. The erection is eternal; the sensation that you feel each time you make love is utterly delicious and out of this world and were you to experience it in this world you would faint. Each chosen one [i.e. Muslim] will marry seventy [sic] houris, besides the women he married on earth, and all will have appetizing vaginas.''" - Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Qur'an, p. 351</ref>
It is quoted by Ibn Kathir, in his [[Tafsir|Qur'anic Commentary]], the Tafsir ibn Kathir,<ref>[http://www.islam-universe.com/tafsir_ibn_kathir/55.51771.html These two gardens are lower, in virtue and in status than the two before them, as supported in the Qur'an]</ref> and they are graphically described by Qur'anic commentator and polymath, Al-Suyuti (died 1505), who, echoing a [[Sahih]] [[hadith]]<ref name="SP 4828">Shaykh Gibril Haddad - [http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I How Many Wives Will The Believers Have In Paradise?] - SunniPath, Question ID:4828, July 3, 2005</ref> from Ibn Majah,<ref name="Ibn Majah 39">"''Abu Umama narrated: "The Messenger of God said, 'Everyone that God admits into paradise will be married to 72 wives; two of them are houris and seventy of his inheritance of the [female] dwellers of hell. All of them will have libidinous sex organs and he will have an ever-erect penis.' ''" - Sunan Ibn Majah, Zuhd (Book of Abstinence) 39</ref> wrote that the perpetual virgins will all "have appetizing vaginas", and that the "penis of the Elected never softens. The erection is eternal."<ref name="Al-Suyuti">"''Each time we sleep with a Houri we find her virgin. Besides, the penis of the Elected never softens. The erection is eternal; the sensation that you feel each time you make love is utterly delicious and out of this world and were you to experience it in this world you would faint. Each chosen one [i.e. Muslim] will marry seventy [sic] houris, besides the women he married on earth, and all will have appetizing vaginas.''" - Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Qur'an, p. 351</ref>


The sensual nature of the houri awarded to believers are also confirmed by the two Sahih collections of hadith, namely [[Sahih Bukhari]]<ref name="Bukhari455544">"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The first group of people who will enter Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon... Their wives will be houris ...''" - {{Bukhari|4|55|544}}</ref> and Sahih Muslim,<ref>Citation and new article needed</ref> where we read that they will be virgins who are so beautiful, pure and transparent that "the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the bones and the flesh",<ref name="Bukhari454476">"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The first batch (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the full moon, and the batch next to them will be (glittering) like the most brilliant star in the sky. Their hearts will be as if the heart of a single man, for they will have neither enmity nor jealousy amongst themselves; everyone will have two wives from the houris, (who will be so beautiful, pure and transparent that) the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the bones and the flesh.''" - {{Bukhari|4|54|476}}</ref> and that "the believers will visit and enjoy them".<ref>"''Allah’s Apostle (The blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner of which there are wives who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers will visit and enjoy them.''" - {{Bukhari|6|60|402}}</ref>
The sensual nature of the houri awarded to believers are also confirmed by the two Sahih collections of hadith, namely [[Sahih Bukhari]]<ref name="Bukhari455544">"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The first group of people who will enter Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon... Their wives will be houris ...''" - {{Bukhari|4|55|544}}</ref> and Sahih Muslim,<ref>Citation and new article needed</ref> where we read that they will be virgins who are so beautiful, pure and transparent that "the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the bones and the flesh",<ref name="Bukhari454476">"''Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The first batch (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the full moon, and the batch next to them will be (glittering) like the most brilliant star in the sky. Their hearts will be as if the heart of a single man, for they will have neither enmity nor jealousy amongst themselves; everyone will have two wives from the houris, (who will be so beautiful, pure and transparent that) the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the bones and the flesh.''" - {{Bukhari|4|54|476}}</ref> and that "the believers will visit and enjoy them".<ref>"''Allah’s Apostle (The blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner of which there are wives who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers will visit and enjoy them.''" - {{Bukhari|6|60|402}}</ref>
Line 32: Line 32:


'''Physical Attributes''':
'''Physical Attributes''':
[[File:78 33-Kawaiba.jpg|thumb|right|In addition to Quranic translations of 78:33 specifying the virgins will be [[wiktionary:voluptuous|'''voluptuous''']]<ref name="Sura78_33">"''And voluptuous women of equal age;''" - {{Quran|78|33}}</ref>, Sahih International translates it as ''"'''full-breasted''' [companions] of equal age"''. Tafsir al-Jalalayn says ''"and '''buxom''' maidens (kawā‘ib is the plural of kā‘ib) of equal age (atrāb is the plural of tirb)"''. Several Islamic scholars explain that they will have ''"'''large, round breasts''' which are not inclined to hang"''.<ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><br />]]
[[File:78 33-Kawaiba.jpg|thumb|right|In addition to Quranic translations of 78:33 specifying the virgins will be '''voluptuous'''<ref name="Sura78_33">"''And voluptuous women of equal age;''" - {{Quran|78|33}}</ref>, Sahih International translates it as ''"'''full-breasted''' [companions] of equal age"''. Tafsir al-Jalalayn says ''"and '''buxom''' maidens (kawā‘ib is the plural of kā‘ib) of equal age (atrāb is the plural of tirb)"''. Several Islamic scholars explain that they will have ''"'''large, round breasts''' which are not inclined to hang"''.<ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><br />]]
:* Wide and beautiful/lovely eyes <ref name="Sura37_48" /><ref name="Sura52_20">"''They will recline (with ease) on Thrones (of dignity) arranged in ranks; and We shall join them to Companions, with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.''" - {{Quran|52|20}}</ref><ref name="Sura56_22">"''And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,-''" - {{Quran|56|22}}</ref>  
 
:* White skinned <ref name="Religious_Sciences">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>  
:*Wide and beautiful/lovely eyes <ref name="Sura37_48" /><ref name="Sura52_20">"''They will recline (with ease) on Thrones (of dignity) arranged in ranks; and We shall join them to Companions, with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.''" - {{Quran|52|20}}</ref><ref name="Sura56_22">"''And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes,-''" - {{Quran|56|22}}</ref>
:* Like pearls <ref>"''Like unto Pearls well-guarded.''" - {{Quran|56|23}}</ref>  
:*White skinned <ref name="Religious_Sciences">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
:* Hairless except the eye brows and the head <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_5638" />  
:*Like pearls <ref>"''Like unto Pearls well-guarded.''" - {{Quran|56|23}}</ref>
:* 60 cubits [27.5 meters] tall <ref name="Ibn_Kathir">[http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=56&tid=51961 Ibn Kathir: The Reward of Those on the Right After]</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences" />  
:*Hairless except the eye brows and the head <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_5638" />
:* 7 cubits [3.2 meters] in width <ref name="Religious_Sciences" />  
:*60 cubits [27.5 meters] tall <ref name="Ibn_Kathir">[http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=56&tid=51961 Ibn Kathir: The Reward of Those on the Right After]</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences" />
:* Transparent to the marrow of their bones <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><ref name="Bukhari454476" />
:*7 cubits [3.2 meters] in width <ref name="Religious_Sciences" />
:* Eternally young <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_5638">Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, hadith: 5638</ref>  
:*Transparent to the marrow of their bones <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><ref name="Bukhari454476" />
:* Companions of equal age <ref name="Sura78_33" /><ref name="Muhammad Asad - atrab">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an,Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003), Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) Al-Waqiah (That which must come to pass)(56):38, note 15</ref>  
:*Eternally young <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_5638">Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, hadith: 5638</ref>
:*Companions of equal age <ref name="Sura78_33" /><ref name="Muhammad Asad - atrab">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an,Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003), Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) Al-Waqiah (That which must come to pass)(56):38, note 15</ref>


'''Sexual Attributes''':
'''Sexual Attributes''':
:* Untouched / with hymen unbroken by sexual intercourse <ref name="Sura55_56" /><ref name="Sura55_72_74">"''Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions;- Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?- Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-''" - {{Quran-range|55|72|74}}</ref>  
 
:* Virgins <ref name="q56_36" />  
:*Untouched / with hymen unbroken by sexual intercourse <ref name="Sura55_56" /><ref name="Sura55_72_74">"''Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions;- Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?- Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-''" - {{Quran-range|55|72|74}}</ref>
:* Voluptuous/full-breasted <ref name="Sura78_33" />  
:*Virgins <ref name="q56_36" />
:** The word used is كواعب (''kawaa'ib''), which is a plural of كاعب (''kaa'ib'') and the meaning accordig to the dictionary is نَاهِدَةُ الثَّدْيِ (''naahida thadee''), "buxom breast" <ref>https://www.almaany.com/ar/dict/ar-ar/%D9%83%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8/</ref>.
:*Voluptuous/full-breasted <ref name="Sura78_33" />  
:* With large, round breasts which are not inclined to hang <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2">Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2.</ref><ref name="Kathir7833" />  
:**The word used is كواعب (''kawaa'ib''), which is a plural of كاعب (''kaa'ib'') and the meaning accordig to the dictionary is نَاهِدَةُ الثَّدْيِ (''naahida thadee''), "buxom breast" <ref>https://www.almaany.com/ar/dict/ar-ar/%D9%83%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A8/</ref>.
:* Appetizing vaginas <ref name="Al-Suyuti" />
:*With large, round breasts which are not inclined to hang <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2">Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2.</ref><ref name="Kathir7833" />
:*Appetizing vaginas <ref name="Al-Suyuti" />


'''Personality Attributes''':
'''Personality Attributes''':
:* Chaste <ref name="Sura37_48">"''And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).''" - {{Quran|37|48}}</ref>  
 
:* Restraining their glances <ref name="Sura37_48" /><ref name="Sura55_56">"''In them will be (Maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-''" - {{Quran|55|56}}</ref>  
:*Chaste <ref name="Sura37_48">"''And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).''" - {{Quran|37|48}}</ref>
:* Modest gaze <ref name="Muhammad Asad-modest gaze">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an,Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003), Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) Sad (38):52</ref>  
:*Restraining their glances <ref name="Sura37_48" /><ref name="Sura55_56">"''In them will be (Maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-''" - {{Quran|55|56}}</ref>
:*Modest gaze <ref name="Muhammad Asad-modest gaze">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an,Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003), Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) Sad (38):52</ref>


'''Other Attributes''':
'''Other Attributes''':
:* Splendid <ref name="Muhammad Asad -Kawa'ib">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an, Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003) Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) An-Naba (The Tiding)(78):33, note 16</ref>
 
:* Pure <ref name="Bukhari454476" />
:*Splendid <ref name="Muhammad Asad -Kawa'ib">Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur'an, Publisher: The Book Foundation; Bilingual edition (December 2003) Language: English, ISBN 1904510000,Chapter (Surah) An-Naba (The Tiding)(78):33, note 16</ref>
:* Non-menstruating / non-urinating/ non-defecating and childfree <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><ref name="Religious_Sciences2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali |quote=The Prophet said: If a woman of Paradise would have peeped up into this world everything therein would have been illuminated and filled up with fragrance. Every hair of her head is better than than the earth and its treasures. God says : They are like Eakut and Marjan. If their faces are seen within screen, they will be more clear than mirrors and the smallest jewel therein will illuminate what is in the heaven and earth. The Prophet said : In the night in which I was taken to heaven, I entered a place in Paradise named Baidakh whose camps are of emeralds and green pearls and red Eakut. They asked : 0 Prophet of God, Salam to you. I asked : 0 Gebrail, whose sound is there ? He said : of the beautiful women in camps. They seek your permission to salute you. So give them permission. They will be saying : We are pleased therewith. We will never be dissatisfied. We will remain here forever, we will never travel. Then he recited the verse : The beautiful damsels detained in camps. In another verse : Pure women. Muzaher explained this by saying that they will be free menstruation, urine, stool, cough and children. |series=Death and Subsequent Events 430 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
:*Pure <ref name="Bukhari454476" />
:* Never dissatisfied <ref name="Religious_Sciences2" />
:*Non-menstruating / non-urinating/ non-defecating and childfree <ref name="Sunan_al-Tirmidhi_v2" /><ref name="Religious_Sciences2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali |quote=The Prophet said: If a woman of Paradise would have peeped up into this world everything therein would have been illuminated and filled up with fragrance. Every hair of her head is better than than the earth and its treasures. God says : They are like Eakut and Marjan. If their faces are seen within screen, they will be more clear than mirrors and the smallest jewel therein will illuminate what is in the heaven and earth. The Prophet said : In the night in which I was taken to heaven, I entered a place in Paradise named Baidakh whose camps are of emeralds and green pearls and red Eakut. They asked : 0 Prophet of God, Salam to you. I asked : 0 Gebrail, whose sound is there ? He said : of the beautiful women in camps. They seek your permission to salute you. So give them permission. They will be saying : We are pleased therewith. We will never be dissatisfied. We will remain here forever, we will never travel. Then he recited the verse : The beautiful damsels detained in camps. In another verse : Pure women. Muzaher explained this by saying that they will be free menstruation, urine, stool, cough and children. |series=Death and Subsequent Events 430 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
:* Will sing praise <ref name="Religious_Sciences3" />
:*Never dissatisfied <ref name="Religious_Sciences2" />
:*Will sing praise <ref name="Religious_Sciences3" />


==Association with Terrorism==
==Association with Terrorism==
Line 92: Line 96:
==Apologetic Arguments==
==Apologetic Arguments==


=== White Rasins ===
===White Rasins===
This claim originated from Christoph Luxenberg, a modern author writing under a pseudonym.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg |title=Christoph Luxenberg |publisher=Wikipedia |author= |date=February 19, 2012 |quote= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> It suggests that the term houri actually meant to describe "white raisins." His previous literature,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran |title=The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran |publisher=Wikipedia |author= |date=February 19, 2012 |quote= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> which has been accused of having a "Christian apologetic agenda",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm |title=Missionary, dilettante or visionary? A review of Ch. Luxenberg, Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart des Qur'an |publisher=Livius |author=Richard Kroes |date=February 19, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> is that the Quran was drawn from [[Islam and the People of the Book|Christian]] Syro-Aramaic texts in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century, in order to evangelize the Arabs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y |title=The Virgins and the Grapes: the Christian Origins of the Koran |publisher=Chiesa press |author=Sandro Magister |date=March 17, 2004 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> and that the Aramaic word 'hur' (white raisin) had been [[Mistranslated Verses|mistranslated]] by later Arab commentators into the Arabic word 'houri' (virgin).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL |title=Revisionist historians argue Koran has been mistranslated |publisher=New York Times |author=Alexander Stille |date=March 2, 2002 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
This claim originated from Christoph Luxenberg, a modern author writing under a pseudonym.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg |title=Christoph Luxenberg |publisher=Wikipedia |author= |date=February 19, 2012 |quote= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> It suggests that the term houri actually meant to describe "white raisins." His previous literature,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran |title=The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran |publisher=Wikipedia |author= |date=February 19, 2012 |quote= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> which has been accused of having a "Christian apologetic agenda",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm |title=Missionary, dilettante or visionary? A review of Ch. Luxenberg, Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart des Qur'an |publisher=Livius |author=Richard Kroes |date=February 19, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> is that the Quran was drawn from [[Islam and the People of the Book|Christian]] Syro-Aramaic texts in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century, in order to evangelize the Arabs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y |title=The Virgins and the Grapes: the Christian Origins of the Koran |publisher=Chiesa press |author=Sandro Magister |date=March 17, 2004 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref> and that the Aramaic word 'hur' (white raisin) had been [[Mistranslated Verses|mistranslated]] by later Arab commentators into the Arabic word 'houri' (virgin).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL |title=Revisionist historians argue Koran has been mistranslated |publisher=New York Times |author=Alexander Stille |date=March 2, 2002 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL&date=2012-02-19 |archivedate=2012-02-19 |deadurl=no}}</ref>


The Quran describes the physical characteristics of the houri in many places, such as, large eyes,<ref name="Sura56_22" /> big breasts,<ref name="Sura78_33" /> chaste,<ref name="Sura55_56" /> and restraining their glances.<ref name="Sura55_56" /> The Quran further states that men will be wed to these houri.<ref name="Sura 44 54" /> These relevant verses suggest that Luxenberg's "white rasins" theory is in error.  
The Quran describes the physical characteristics of the houri in many places, such as, large eyes,<ref name="Sura56_22" /> big breasts,<ref name="Sura78_33" /> chaste,<ref name="Sura55_56" /> and restraining their glances.<ref name="Sura55_56" /> The Quran further states that men will be wed to these houri.<ref name="Sura 44 54" /> These relevant verses suggest that Luxenberg's "white rasins" theory is in error.  


=== Virgins only mentioned in hadith not Quran ===
===Virgins only mentioned in hadith not Quran===
Although the Quran does not mention the exact number of virgins, it does state that Muslim men will be awarded with (multiple) virgins in heaven.<ref name="q56_36" /> The Quran describes some of their physical attributes and personality traits<ref name="Sura56_22" /><ref name="Sura78_33" /><ref name="Sura55_56" />.   
Although the Quran does not mention the exact number of virgins, it does state that Muslim men will be awarded with (multiple) virgins in heaven.<ref name="q56_36" /> The Quran describes some of their physical attributes and personality traits<ref name="Sura56_22" /><ref name="Sura78_33" /><ref name="Sura55_56" />.   


The number of houri are confirmed in multiple hadiths.<ref name=":0" /> Also worth noting is that hadiths are a [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible|crucial part of Islam]] but can be ignored by certain Muslims who disagree with hadiths on details about Islam.  
The number of houri are confirmed in multiple hadiths.<ref name=":0" /> Also worth noting is that hadiths are a [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible|crucial part of Islam]] but can be ignored by certain Muslims who disagree with hadiths on details about Islam.  


=== The 72 virgins hadith has been classified as Da'if (weak) or Maudu (fabricated) ===
===The 72 virgins hadith has been classified as Da'if (weak) or Maudu (fabricated)===
The hadith from Sunan al-Tirmidhi has been graded hasan sahih gharib (a “fair, sound, single-chained hadith”).<ref name="SP 4828" /> Additionally there is not only one "72 virgins" hadith. There are many quoted narrations that have been graded both hasan (good) and sahih (authentic)<ref name=":0" />
The hadith from Sunan al-Tirmidhi has been graded hasan sahih gharib (a “fair, sound, single-chained hadith”).<ref name="SP 4828" /> Additionally there is not only one "72 virgins" hadith. There are many quoted narrations that have been graded both hasan (good) and sahih (authentic)<ref name=":0" />


=== Houri are only servants and not for sexual purposes ===
===Houri are only servants and not for sexual purposes===
The Quran details that houri are chaste virgins that have big breasts.<ref name="q56_36" /> While the Quran does not explicitly state they are for sexual purposes this is mentioned in [[Qur%27an, Hadith and Scholars:Sexuality#Paradise|other Islamic sources]] . One such hadith states "The believer will be given such and such strength in heaven for sexual intercourse". Other sources state that "the penis of the elected never softens" and that men in heaven will have the sexual strength of 100 men.<ref name="Masabih XLII">"''The Holy Prophet said: 'The believer will be given such and such strength in Paradise for sexual intercourse. It was questioned: O prophet of Allah! can he do that? He said: "He will be given the strength of one hundred persons.''" - Mishkat al-Masabih Book IV, Chapter XLII, Paradise and Hell, Hadith Number 24</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences5">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|quote=Once a Jewish learned man came to the Prophet and asked him : Who will first cross the Bridge? He said : The poor refugees : The Jew asked again : When they will enter paradise, what food will be served to them first? He said : Roasts of the livers of fish. He asked again : What will be their morning lunch? He said : Cows of paradise will be slaughtered for them. He said : What drink will be given to them? He said They will be given drink of Salsabil. The Jew said : You have spoken the truth. Once a Jew asked the Prophet : Do you think that the inmates of paradise will eat and drink? The Prophet said Yes, by One in whose hand there is my life, each one of them will be given food, drink and strength of one hundred man to have sexual intercourse. The Jew asked : Will he have any necessity of passing urine and stools? The Prophet said : In place of urine and stool, perspiration will come out of them like camphor and as a result their stomach will be cleared therefor. |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}, The Book of Constructive Virtues 429</ref>
The Quran details that houri are chaste virgins that have big breasts.<ref name="q56_36" /> While the Quran does not explicitly state they are for sexual purposes this is mentioned in [[Qur%27an, Hadith and Scholars:Sexuality#Paradise|other Islamic sources]] . One such hadith states "The believer will be given such and such strength in heaven for sexual intercourse". Other sources state that "the penis of the elected never softens" and that men in heaven will have the sexual strength of 100 men.<ref name="Masabih XLII">"''The Holy Prophet said: 'The believer will be given such and such strength in Paradise for sexual intercourse. It was questioned: O prophet of Allah! can he do that? He said: "He will be given the strength of one hundred persons.''" - Mishkat al-Masabih Book IV, Chapter XLII, Paradise and Hell, Hadith Number 24</ref><ref name="Religious_Sciences5">{{cite web|url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm |title=Ihya Uloom Ed-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) Vol. 4 |author=Al Ghazzali|quote=Once a Jewish learned man came to the Prophet and asked him : Who will first cross the Bridge? He said : The poor refugees : The Jew asked again : When they will enter paradise, what food will be served to them first? He said : Roasts of the livers of fish. He asked again : What will be their morning lunch? He said : Cows of paradise will be slaughtered for them. He said : What drink will be given to them? He said They will be given drink of Salsabil. The Jew said : You have spoken the truth. Once a Jew asked the Prophet : Do you think that the inmates of paradise will eat and drink? The Prophet said Yes, by One in whose hand there is my life, each one of them will be given food, drink and strength of one hundred man to have sexual intercourse. The Jew asked : Will he have any necessity of passing urine and stools? The Prophet said : In place of urine and stool, perspiration will come out of them like camphor and as a result their stomach will be cleared therefor. |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.nderf.org/islamic_views_death.htm&date=2012-12-03 |archivedate=2012-12-03 |deadurl=no}}, The Book of Constructive Virtues 429</ref>


=== Hour are for both men and women ===
===Hour are for both men and women===
The Quran indicates that houris will be "untouched before them by both man and jinni" <ref>Untouched before them by man or jinni
The Quran indicates that houris will be "untouched before them by both man and jinni" <ref>Untouched before them by man or jinni


Line 121: Line 125:
==External Links==
==External Links==


; Articles
;Articles
* {{external_link|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/538.htm |title='72 Black Eyed Virgins': A Muslim Debate on the Rewards of Martyrs |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/538.htm&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}  
 
* {{external_link|url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2329/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins |title=Does the Koran really promise Islamic martyrs 72 virgins? |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2329/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
*{{external_link|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/538.htm |title='72 Black Eyed Virgins': A Muslim Debate on the Rewards of Martyrs |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/538.htm&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
* {{external_link|url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Abualrub/allah_brothel.htm |title=Have You Been Invited to Allah’s Brothel? |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Abualrub/allah_brothel.htm&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
*{{external_link|url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2329/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins |title=Does the Koran really promise Islamic martyrs 72 virgins? |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2329/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
* {{external_link|url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Versions/078.033.html |title=Muslim Mastectomy or The Miracle of Disappearing Breasts |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Versions/078.033.html&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}  
*{{external_link|url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Abualrub/allah_brothel.htm |title=Have You Been Invited to Allah’s Brothel? |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Abualrub/allah_brothel.htm&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
*{{external_link|url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Versions/078.033.html |title=Muslim Mastectomy or The Miracle of Disappearing Breasts |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Versions/078.033.html&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}


;Videos
;Videos
* {{external_link|url=http://weaselzippers.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/video-saudi-cleric-extols-the-virtues-of-allahs-virgins-in-paradise-they-are-white-women-who-are-men.html |title=Saudi Cleric Extols the Virtues of Allah's Virgins in Paradise, "They are White Women who are Menstruation-Free, Free of Feces, Urine, Phlegm" |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://weaselzippers.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/video-saudi-cleric-extols-the-virtues-of-allahs-virgins-in-paradise-they-are-white-women-who-are-men.html&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
 
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5pqQIyQfa8 72 wives await the Martyrs for Allah: Six rewards quoted in Hamas TV sermon]
*{{external_link|url=http://weaselzippers.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/video-saudi-cleric-extols-the-virtues-of-allahs-virgins-in-paradise-they-are-white-women-who-are-men.html |title=Saudi Cleric Extols the Virtues of Allah's Virgins in Paradise, "They are White Women who are Menstruation-Free, Free of Feces, Urine, Phlegm" |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://weaselzippers.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/video-saudi-cleric-extols-the-virtues-of-allahs-virgins-in-paradise-they-are-white-women-who-are-men.html&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}}
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aolf7qrTM1E ABC's Islam Deception--Part One: Raisins or Virgins in heaven?]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5pqQIyQfa8 72 wives await the Martyrs for Allah: Six rewards quoted in Hamas TV sermon]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aolf7qrTM1E ABC's Islam Deception--Part One: Raisins or Virgins in heaven?]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb326lP5RPg Dark eyed virgins greet Muslim Martyrs in heaven]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb326lP5RPg Dark eyed virgins greet Muslim Martyrs in heaven]


;Apologetics links:
;Apologetics links:
* {{external_link|url=http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2007/03/04/debunking-the-suicide-for-72-virgins-myth/ |title=Debunking the ‘Suicide for 72 Virgins’ Myth |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2007/03/04/debunking-the-suicide-for-72-virgins-myth/&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}} ''(see [[#Responses_to_Apologetics|Response]] section above)''
 
*{{external_link|url=http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2007/03/04/debunking-the-suicide-for-72-virgins-myth/ |title=Debunking the ‘Suicide for 72 Virgins’ Myth |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2007/03/04/debunking-the-suicide-for-72-virgins-myth/&date=2012-02-23 |archivedate=2012-02-23 |deadurl=no}} ''(see [[#Responses_to_Apologetics|Response]] section above)''


;Humor
;Humor
Videos:  
Videos:  
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cRmPO07U_M Atheist Comedian 72 Virgins in Heaven] ''(5:32)''
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cRmPO07U_M Atheist Comedian 72 Virgins in Heaven] ''(5:32)''
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxpMTFBg48 Family guy - 72 Virgins] ''(0:25)''
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxpMTFBg48 Family guy - 72 Virgins] ''(0:25)''
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
recentchangescleanup, Reviewers, Administrators
148

edits

Navigation menu