72 Virgins - II

A discussion that veered off the topic and ended up on '72 Virgins'. There is this general notion regarding Islam, in muslims and non-muslims alike, that one gets 72 virgins in heaven. This is especially referred when suicide bombers and 'reward' for them in religion of Islam is discussed. I'll post a small section of this dialogue to show what is the 'general' attitude and then will state my opinion on it.
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He: Why don't you choose heaven? there must be 70 virgins waiting for you in heaven who look better then Vidya Balan.Its a strange choice.

I: 70?! I thought types like you got 72?!

He: 72 extra virgin sir why would i get extra two?

I: because you deserve them? :)

He: Thank s Postman. wow my 72 virgins in heaven. You deserve more then 72 u deserve a hundred virgins in heaven.

I: Na I think I'll pass :p
I don't have that strength to 'deal' with so many :p

He: OO come on postman when will enter heaven u will eat fresh food of heaven and breath in fresh air of heaven and then u will get strenght to deal with more then 100.

I: really?! damn :p
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Quran never says 'females', 'hoors as in females', 'virgins' in Quran. It only says 'pure companions' Azwajjum mutaharat. e.g.

2:25 - But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).

Pure companions for Males and Females - both. So I do not think you should look purely from 'sex' point of view. For example.

37:45 - A bowl shall be made to go round them from water running out of springs,
37:46 - White, delicious to those who drink.
37:47 - There shall be no trouble in it, nor shall they be exhausted therewith.
37:48 - And with them shall be those (companions) who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes

and there is no mention of 70 or 72 virgins in Quran. If its males that will 'enjoy' virgins then the same will be applied to females :p

The Quran talks in terms of bounties and gifts - pure in nature. Nothing vile, evil or ill associated with them.

47:15 - A parable of the garden which those guarding (against evil) are promised: Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste whereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified and for them therein are all fruits and protection from their Lord.

52:23 - They shall pass therein from one to another a cup (of drink) wherein there shall be nothing vain nor any sin.

So 'companions' are a pure gift - nothing like virgin sexual slaves in heaven for the 'righteous'. And the words that Quran uses are parables e.g. Verse 37:48 uses the terms 'qasirat tut-tarfe aye-nun' which literally means 'those who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes;' - nothing specific to females. Yes I know translators usually translate it in respect of females but this is not so. Sura Rehman uses the same wording 'qasirat tut-tarfe':

55:56 - In them shall be those who restrained their eyes; before them neither human nor jinni shall have touched them.


Must Read : Wikipedia on Etymology of Huur and Wikipedia on references in Quran

Peace

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For Quranic view on 'virgins'.. read my post 72 Virgins - Part II

Now this is being pointed out more and more. That muslims who "blow themselves up" (sic) get 72 virgins in heaven or in other words.. they blow themselves up for the virgins. As Jay Leno said in the Tonight Show... there are so many suicide bombers now that it turns out that there will be only 1 virgin for 72 bombers! :p

Jokes apart.. this is a serious issue as this casts a totally malevolent and perhaps sadistic shadow on what the suicide bombers do and what they want. Let me me make my stance clear. I am not at all in favour of suicide bombings as this entails killing of innocent lives and for me.. killing of one innocent is like killing of humanity (Quran 5:32)

Now the suicide part and getting 72 virgins. Tell me.. how can it be that when Quran says that killing of an innocent is like killing of humanity and on the other hand it says you'll get virgins if you die blowing up innocent people? ridiculous. 72 virgins are not mentioned in Quran - its sources are other than Quran which are not authentic. So people who blow themselves up for their own interests won't get any virgins... all they will get is hell fire.

Understand the motives of taking this route. The usual ignorance of West's public is more obvious and brushing under the carpet by commentators and media personnel of the reasons of such act more prominent. Suicide bombing is evident in two forms. One is the desperate situation in which a person finds himself/ herself after being persecuted to his/ her limits. Case in point - Palestine. (this still does not allow taking innocent lives). The other situation is in Iraq where people are blowing themselves apart to get rid of Iraq from Americans. The usual suspects are foreigners interested to drive Americans out and perhaps Iraqis themselves. I am not quite sure about the latter.

Anyways... taking innocent lives either in case of suicide bombings and Daisy Cutters is abominable act. And NO! nobody is getting virgins!

By the way... if muslims will get virgins.. what would Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka get in return for their suicide bombings?

Also Check This Post

72 Virgins - Part II

Suicide Bombings