this are meant women who have grown old here.29 The meaning, therefore is that all good women will be in a new creation in the life of the Resurrection so that they shall all be virgins, equals in age. The Holy Prophet’s explanation shows that the word ḥūr is used to describe the new growth into which women of the world will grow. An anecdote is also related that an old woman came to the Holy Prophet when he was sitting with his Companions, and asked him if she would go to Paradise. In a spirit of mirth, the Holy Prophet remarked that there would be no old women in Paradise. She was about to turn away rather sorrowfully, when the Holy Prophet comforted her with the words that all women shall be made to grow into a new growth, so that there shall be no old women in Paradise, and recited the verse quoted above.30
The conclusion to which this ḥadīth leads is further supported by what is stated in the Holy Qur’ān. The description of ḥūr, as given in the Holy Qur’ān, contains the best qualities of a good woman, purity of character, beauty, youthful appearance, restrained eyes and love for her husband. But even if the ḥūr are taken to be a blessing of Paradise, and not the women of this world, it is a blessing as well for men as for women. Just as the gardens, rivers, milk, honey, fruits, and numerous other things of Paradise are both for men and women, even so are ḥūr. What these blessings actually are, no one knows, but the whole picture of Paradise drawn in the Holy Qur’ān strongly condemns the association of any sensual idea therewith. It may, however, be asked, why are these blessings described in words which apply to women? The fact is that the reward spoken of here has special reference to the purity and beauty of character, and if there is an emblem of purity and beauty, it is womanhood, not manhood.
What is true of women is also true of ghilmān (children). The Holy Qur’ān speaks, on one occasion, of the presence in Paradise of ghilmān (pl. of ghulām meaning a boy), and on two occasions of wildān (pl. of walad meaning a son or a child): “And round them go boys (ghilmān)
29 Tr. 44:Surah 56.
30 RM. VIII. P. 320.