‘Did all religions start out as monotheism?’ (short 300-word response)
‘Why does Islam oppose Christianity?’ (short 300-word response)
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I offer a brief explanation and a criticism of the Islamic doctrine of Paradise (Janna).

The Qur’an’s (Q) description of Paradise corresponds with a common understanding of a heavenly afterlife: peace (56:25–26), and blessing and delight (43:71). Trusted hadith say there will be no more suffering (Sahih al-Bukhari). There are beautiful gardens, shady valleys, fountains, and rivers of milk, water, and honey. Further, there will be virgins for men (18:31). They are voluptuous (78:31) and have “beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes” (44:54). Men will view them as “scattered pearls” (76:19).

There are conditions for entering Paradise: belief that Allah is one (Tawhid), belief in Muhammad’s prophethood and the messengers of Allah, repentance of sin, and doing good deeds. Salvation can only be given by Allah. According to Abu Dawud, prayer is also essential. This is a deed-based system that is also determined by one’s earthly use of knowledge, promises, and wealth. He will be questioned about these (17:36).

Some challenges to this doctrine. From a projectionist perspective, Paradise is a projection of troubled human experience. Early Muslims engaged in warfare, which required arduous travel in sweltering desert heat and without their wives. A Paradise entailing life after death, rivers, valleys, virgins, and Allah’s pleasure over good deeds would have appealed significantly.

The overt sexual dimension of Paradise leads me to take a Freudian view, which is that the concept is also a manifestation of the repressed sexual drive among these men. Repressed drives have to bubble to the surface and take some form. Freud would have considered neurosis the explanation for this doctrine.

Further, Muslims believe Muhammad is the moral exemplar for all humanity to follow. He exercised moral excellence, and Allah made him the example for all Muslims to follow (68:4; 33:21). However, according to the Q, Muhammad was himself unsure of his salvation based on his deeds (46:9). The immediate question is then: What assurance do Muslims have of attaining Paradise or salvation? If Muhammad was uncertain and fearful, then surely I must be even more unsure and unlikely to attain salvation. Reflection on this will lead many Muslims to a place of existential angst in anticipation of the Day of Judgment.