Heaven, according to the Korān and the traditions, consists of seven divisions, as follows: The Garden of Eternity—The Abode of Peace—The Abode of Rest—The Garden of Eden—The Garden of Resort—The Garden of Pleasure—The Garden of the Most High, and The Garden of Paradise. “Who created seven heavens in stories?... Why, look again! canst thou see a flaw?... And we have adorned the lower heaven with lamps; and set them to pelt the devils with: and we have prepared them for the torment of the blaze.”
“And the fellows of the right hand—what right lucky fellows! These are they who are brought nigh in gardens of pleasure! And gold-weft couches, reclining on them! Around them shall go eternal youths, with goblets and ewers and a cup of flowing wine; no head-ache shall they feel therefrom, nor shall their wits be dimmed! And fruits such as they deem the best; And flesh of fowls as they desire; And bright and large-eyed maids like hidden pearls; And the fellows of the right—what right lucky fellows! Amid thornless lote trees And trees with piles of fruit;
And outspread shade, And water outpoured; And fruit in abundance, neither bitter nor forbidden; * * * * * * * * * * And God will guard them from the evil of that day and will cast on them brightness and joy; And their reward for their patience shall be Paradise and silk! Reclining thereon upon couches, they shall neither see therein the sun nor piercing cold; And close down upon them shall be its shadows; And lowered over them its fruits to cull; And they shall be served round with vessels of silver and goblets that are as flagons— Flagons of silver shall they mete out!... And there shall go round them eternal boys; When thou seest them thou wilt think them scattered pearls; And when thou seest them thou shalt see pleasure and a great estate! On them shall be garments of green embroidered satin and brocade; And they shall be adorned with bracelets of silver.”[215]
Hell also has seven divisions, which are arranged in the following order: Gehenna—The Flaming Fire—The Raging Fire that splits everything to pieces—The Blaze—The Scorching Fire—The Fierce Fire—The Abyss.
“It is thus that we reward sinners; for them is the couch of hell-fire with an awning above them! Thus do we reward the unjust!...