What will the greatest moment in all of eternity look like? Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) paints a breathtaking picture of the Day of Increase — the day when the people of Paradise will be invited to see the Face of their Lord, Allah, the Most Majestic and Glorious. This is the ultimate reward that surpasses every pleasure of Jannah, and it is the meeting that every believer’s soul yearns for.
The Day Allah Reveals Himself to the People of Paradise
A caller will announce to the inhabitants of Jannah: “O people of Paradise, your Lord, Blessed and Exalted be He, invites you to visit Him.” They will respond with joy, “We hear and obey!” and hasten to a lush valley prepared for this magnificent gathering. Pulpits of light, pearls, gold, and silver will be set up. Even the lowest among them — though none in Paradise are truly lowly — will sit upon dunes of pure musk. Then Allah will appear to them, and Paradise itself will shine with His light.
“O people of Paradise, peace be upon you. If I were not pleased with you, you would not have been in My Paradise. This is the Day of More — so ask of Me whatever you wish.” — The words of Allah to the people of Jannah, as described by Ibn al-Qayyim
The Greatest Reward: Seeing the Face of Allah
- Allah will speak to each person individually, reminding them of past sins — only to show that He has already forgiven them and it is by His forgiveness that they reached this blessed station
- The believers will be bathed in divine light so intense that, were it not for Allah’s decree of protection, they would not be able to endure it
- This gathering is the fulfillment of the Quranic promise of “more” (ziyadah) — a reward beyond Paradise itself
- The people of Jannah will unanimously declare: “We are satisfied! Are You not pleased with us, O our Lord?”
“O so-and-so, do you remember the day you did such-and-such? He will remind him of some of his faults in this world, and the servant will say: ‘O Lord, have You not forgiven me?’ Allah will say: ‘Yes — by My forgiveness, you have reached this station.'”
This description should ignite in every Muslim an unquenchable longing for Jannah and the meeting with their Creator. We ask Allah to make us among those who will be present on that glorious Day of Increase, to forgive our sins, and to grant us the highest stations of Paradise where we may gaze upon His Noble Face for all eternity. Ameen.
