Al-A'raf (realm of afterlife)

Araf is the Muslim sheol or borderland between heaven and hell for those who are, from incapacity, neither morally bad nor morally good. Araf is also a partition. Between hell and paradise there is a high wall, an a'raf. On this partition stand men who have escaped from hell but who are not (yet) permitted to enter paradise. They yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced.

A'raf ( ) is the Muslim separator realm or borderland between heaven and hell , inhabited by the people who are evenly balanced in their sins and virtues. The word is literally translated as "The Heights" in English. The realm is described as a high curtain between hell and paradise . Ibn Kathir described A'raf as a wall that contains a gate. In this high wall lived people who witness the terror of hell and the beauty of paradise. They yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced. Yet with the mercy of God, they will be one of the last people to enter the paradise. AN EXEGICAL STUDY OF QUR’ANIC TERM AL-A`RAF Questions on Islam - Who are the companions of Araf, which is mentioned in the Surah Al-Araf?

Borderland between heaven and hell Diagram of "Plain of Assembly"( Ard al-Hashr) on the Day of Judgment, from autograph manuscript of Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Sufi mystic and philosopher Ibn Arabi , ca. 1238. Shown are the 'Arsh ( Throne of God ), pulpits for the righteous (al-Aminun), seven rows of angels , Gabriel (al-Ruh), A'raf (the Barrier), the Pond of Abundance , al-Maqam al-Mahmud (the Praiseworthy Station; where the prophet Muhammad will stand to intercede for the faithful), Mizan (the Scale), As-Sirāt (the Bridge), Jahannam (Hell) and Marj al- Jannat (Meadow of Paradise). A'raf ( ) is the Muslim separator realm or borderland between heaven and hell , inhabited by the evenly balanced in their sins and virtues. This place may be described as a kind of benefit purgatory with privation but without suffering. The word is literally translated as "The Heights" in English. The realm is described as a high curtain between hell and paradise . Ibn Kathir described A'raf as a wall that contains a gate. In this high wall lived people who witness the terror of hell and the beauty of paradise. They yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced. Yet with the mercy of God, they will be among the last people to enter the paradise. The Catholic scholar of Islam Louis Massignon believed the Christian concept of limbo was inspired by the Muslim interpretation of A'raf. A'raf is described in the Quran in sura Al-A'raf , 46–47. The Garden of the Taj Mahal: A Case Study of Mughal Architectural Planning and Symbolism, in: Wescoat, James L.; Wolschke-Bulmahn, Joachim (1996). An Exegical Study of Qur’anic Term Al-A`raf Questions on Islam - Who are the companions of Araf, which is mentioned in the Surah Al-Araf?

Borderland between heaven and hell in Islam Diagram of "Plain of Assembly" ( Ard al-Hashr) on the Day of Judgment, from an autograph manuscript of Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Sufi mystic and Muslim philosopher Ibn Arabi , ca. 1238. Shown are the 'Arsh ( Throne of God ), pulpits for the righteous (al-Aminun), seven rows of angels , Gabriel (al-Ruh), A'raf (the Barrier), the Pond of Abundance , al-Maqam al-Mahmud (the Praiseworthy Station; where the prophet Muhammad will stand to intercede for the faithful), Mizan (the Scale), As-Sirāt (the Bridge), Jahannam (Hell), and Marj al-Jannat (Meadow of Paradise). In Islam , al-A'raf ( ) is a separator realm or borderland between Jannah (heaven) and Jahannam (hell), inhabited by those who are evenly balanced in their sins and virtues, they are not entirely evil nor are they entirely good. This place may be described as a kind of benevolent purgatory with privation but without suffering. The word is literally translated as "the heights" in English. The realm is described as a high curtain between hell and paradise . Ibn Kathir described A'raf as a wall that contains a gate. In this high wall lived people who witness the terror of hell and the beauty of paradise. They yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced. Yet with the mercy of God, they will be among the last people to enter the paradise. The Catholic scholar of Islam Louis Massignon believed the Christian concept of limbo was inspired by the Muslim interpretation of A'raf. A'raf is described in the Quran in sura Al-A'raf , 46–47. The Garden of the Taj Mahal: A Case Study of Mughal Architectural Planning and Symbolism, in: Wescoat, James L.; Wolschke-Bulmahn, Joachim (1996). Questions on Islam - Who are the companions of Araf, which is mentioned in the Surah Al-Araf?

Borderland between heaven and hell in Islam Diagram of "Plain of Assembly" ( Ard al-Hashr) on Judgment Day, from an autograph manuscript of Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Ibn Arabi , the Sufi mystic and Muslim philosopher , with the 'Araf Bridge), Jahannam (Hell), and Marj al-Jannat (Meadow of Paradise). In Islam , al-A'raf ( Arabic : الأعراف ) is a separator realm or borderland between Jannah (heaven) and Jahannam (hell), inhabited by those who are evenly balanced in their sins and virtues, they are not entirely evil nor are they entirely good. This place may be described as a kind of benevolent purgatory with privation but without suffering. Some hadith depict that rather than this place being a middle ground purgatory in between Heaven and Hell, it is actually just the top layer of Hell, the least severe layer. The word is literally translated as "the heights" in English. The realm is described as a high curtain between hell and paradise . Ibn Kathir described A'raf as a wall that contains a gate. In this high wall lived people who witness the terror of hell and the beauty of paradise. They yearn to enter paradise, but their sins and virtues are evenly balanced. Yet with the mercy of God, they will be among the last people to enter the paradise. A'raf is described in the Quran in sura Al-A'raf , 46–47. Al-A'raf has some similarities to the Christian concept of Purgatory . Al-Haafith Al-Hakami said about the people of Al-A‘raaf, "They will be kept between Paradise and Hell for a period of time that Allaah wills, then they will be allowed to enter Paradise." Comparison of Other-wordly places in Christianity and Islam Begley, Wayne E. The Garden of the Taj Mahal: A Case Study of Mughal Architectural Planning and Symbolism, in: Wescoat, James L.; Wolschke-Bulmahn, Joachim (1996). Questions on Islam - Who are the companions of Araf, which is mentioned in the Surah Al-Araf?