Thinking about Jannah - a few questions
As-salamu alaykum brothers and sisters, I don't need to tell anyone whether I've been striving or slacking to earn Jannah because Allah knows the truth (not my point, just thought it's a fine opener). While working to provide for my family, a question kept popping into my head: "what will Jannah be like?" I imagine lots of delicious food, breathtaking skies, and laughing with my family gathered around a big dinner table remembering life on earth. But what if someone there wants something different? Or what if, laqadarAllah, a family member ends up elsewhere? What if someone wanted to write films or be successful in a creative career - how would that work when there is no struggle in Jannah? Also, what does happiness mean without sadness? Jannah is meant for happiness, but how do we understand that fully? I heard that our souls will be purified like the purification the Prophet (saw) experienced. Of course I know we'll still retain personality - being purified doesn't mean becoming identical copies of each other. Some practical questions I can't stop wondering about: - If a husband wanted to be with multiple women but his wife only wanted to be with him forever, how is that resolved in Jannah? - If I prefer sunshine but someone else prefers rain, how are differing wishes handled? Do we each get our own versions of paradise with those we love? If so, do those loved ones keep their own personalities, or are they in some way arranged for our comfort? And am I arranged for someone else in theirs? Sorry, this is a bit messy - I've been turning it over in my head for a long time. I know the priority is to work on earning Jannah first, but I don't think there's harm in wondering about what life there will be like and trying to make sense of it. I trust Allah will not disappoint us, nor strip away our personalities and make us empty. I've settled on the thought that Allah alone knows best, and that whatever we hoped to do in this world but couldn't, we will be content with in Jannah. Astaghfirullah if anything I said suggested something inappropriate - I was only asking questions. Jazakum Allahu khairan for reading.