We have discussed the attires of the dwellers of Paradise and now let us talk about their adornment.
Adornment within limits has its effects. It pleases the heart and refreshes it. It is something pleasant if it does cross the limits. This is why the Qura’n and Islamic traditions tells us not to overlook it even when in prayers. They should be dressed clean attires that have pleasant colors, the hairs should be combed, and they should use concentrated perfumes and wear different rings on their fingers.
From many verses in the Qura’n we learn that the dwellers of Paradise will adorn themselves in various manners. The verse says:
“They shall be adorned with bracelets of gold.”(1)
The word “Asaawira” is the plural of “Aswara” which in turn is the plural of ‘Suwar” and it means a bracelet. It has been derived from the Persian word “Dastwar”.
Gold and pearls have been mentioned in the three verses. According to some commentators this is about gems and pearls but with pearl being attached to bracelets of God. On the whole the verse will mean: “In Paradise they will be wearing gold bracelets and be decorated with pearls” as described in verse 21 of Surah Hajj. This decoration of the pearls may be separate from the bracelet or be a part of it.
Some have said that they will be wearing bracelets of pure pearls together with bracelets of gold.
Verse 21 of Surah Insaan speaks about the silver bracelets:
“And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver”
The question is that in our society bracelets whether made of gold or silver are worn by women so is the system in Paradise different?
But we should also note that firstly that in our society in this world bracelets are worn by men as well as women and the Pharaoh had asked about Moses as denoted in verse 53 of Surah Zukhruf;
“Then why are gold bracelets not bestowed on him?’
This proves that this was something common in Egyptian society. Bracelets were an adornment for men and enhanced their personalities.
We have also said that the Qura’n speaks about these issues in our terms (for us to understand) because the adornments of Paradise are beyond our comprehension.
1. See Surah Kahf 13, Hajj 23 and Fatir 33.
