The mention of Allah the Exalted in the Noble Qur'an of several paradises, such as Jannat al-Firdaws, Jannat 'Adn, and Jannat al-Ma'wa, and whether Sidrat al-Muntaha is a higher rank than the heavens of the Lord of the Worlds

The questioner : A questioner asks and says: Allah the Exalted mentioned in the Noble Qur'an several paradises, such as Jannat al-Firdaws, Jannat 'Adn, and Jannat al-Ma'wa. Is Sidrat al-Muntaha a higher rank than the heavens of the Lord of the Worlds? And which paradise should the Muslim ask for, since Allah loves the Muslim who is persistent in supplication?

The Shaykh : The answer to this question, or to part of what is in this question, has come in his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): As for Sidrat al-Muntaha, the apparent indication from the story of the Night Journey and the Ascension of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is that it is the last thing of Paradise. I say this is the apparent indication because I do not recall an explicit text on the matter. However, as for the paradise that one asks for, it is Jannat al-Firdaws, for it is explicitly stated in the hadith: .

The questioner : Our Shaykh, and Allah knows best, meaning according to my understanding of the brother's words, Allah mentioned Jannat al-Firdaws, Jannat 'Adn, and Jannat al-Ma'wa as one paradise, is that not so?

The Shaykh : This also came explicitly in "al-Bukhari": Yes, these are many paradises, and therefore he said in the previous hadith: .