This artlcle is adapted from the translation of the fifth chapter of Ibn Hazms Ihkaam fi Usool al-Ahkaam one of the most curious issues which sometimes cross ones mind is what the believers' experience would be like in Paradise. When we were small, we were told that mian kuka (locally known as Luuru) is a soup of Paradise. Really, while there is nothing spectacular about the soup, still we believed we will find Luuru in Paradise.
But come to think of it, was our belief frivolous? Perhaps not, for Allaah says: "And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). Everytime they will be provided with a fruit there from, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before," and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e. in the same form but different in taste)." (Q2[BAqarah]:25)
So if we will eat mian kuka in Paradise (for those really care for it), what names shall we call it and by which language - Luuru (in Yoruba) or Kuka (in Hausa)? Perhaps we could broaden the question, what language shall we speak in Paradise? Automatically, an average Muslim will chorus Arabic. This is not however surprising. Why should it not be Arabic when it is the language of Allaah's last revealed Book and the mother tongue of the best and last of Allaah's Prophets and Messengers and the most widely used of the surviving semitic languages. But the answer isn't that simple.
The first thing we should know is that we cannot get a categorical information concerning the language of the people of Paradise and that of the denizens of Hell except through a revelation either from the Quran or sunnah. Incidentally, none of these exists on the matter. At least the fact still remains that both the inmate of Paradise and Hell must speak some language. This is indicated by record of conversations that will occur between and among them which Allaah tells us in the Quran. For example, Allaah records the conversation that will occur between the denizens of Hell and the Guard of Hell: "And they will cry: "O Malik! (Keeper of Hell) Let your Lord make an end of us." He will say: "Verily you shall abide forever". (Q43 [Zukhruf]: 77)
Also the conversation on the bridge: "On the Day when the hypocrites men and women will say to the believers: "Wait for us! Let us get something from your light!" It will be said: "Go back to your rear! Then seek a light!" (Q57[Hadeed]:13). Also, "... the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: "Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with." They will say: "Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers." (Q7[Araf]:50)
In all of these verses, Allah gives us a clear indication that they will all able to communicate intelligibly with one another, either in Arabic as it is given in the Quran, or in some other language, and Allah alone knows what it will be.
There are three possibilities:
1) They will speak some language presently in existence,
2) They will speak a language different from anyone that presently exists, or
3) They will speak a plurality of languages.
In any event, the depiction Someone asserted that the language of Paradise will be Arabic, citing Allaah's words: "And their final supplication will be: Al-Hamdu Lillaahi, Rabbi-l-Aalameen." (Q10[Yunus]:10) This is easily countered by saying: In the same way, it will have to be the language of Hell, since Allaah informs us they said: "Sawaaun alaynaa a jazi naa am sabarna, maa lanaa min mahees." (Q14[lbrahim]: 21) And likewise that they said: "Law kunna nasma "u aw na qilu maa kunnaa fee ashaab al-saeer." (Q67[Mulk]: 10)
If this is the case, then we must furthermore assert that Arabic was the language of Musa and all of the prophets (alyhim salaam), since all of their words are quoted to us in the Quran in Arabic. However, this assertion is not correct for Allaah says: "And We did not send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly." (Q14[lbrahim]: 4) This means that Allaah only quotes to us the meaning of what they said in their various languages in a language we can understand, to make it clear to us.
That is all. The letter-sounds of languages are all the same, none take precedence over any others, and there is no inherent ugliness or beauty in some to the exclusion of others. They are the same for all languages.
Therefore such a flimsy and spurious claim is false. And success rests with Allaah. It was such misguided and common notions that led some Jews to permit telling lies and swearing false oaths in other than Hebrew.
They claimed that the angels who convey human deeds to heaven do not understand anything but Hebrew, so they do not record against them anything else. This is patent foolishness. The Knower of the unseen and of what is in the hearts surely knows all the languages and their meanings there is no God but He. He is sufficient for us and the best of protectors.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited