Who or what are the "Hoors" ?

[PsychoDad]

Inm answer to another question I recived. Thought others may be able to use the info.

Just what are the "Hoors" ?

The word hoor occurs in the Quran in four different places, as translated into english:

(1) In Sura Dukhan:

"Moreover, We shall join them to companions With beautiful, big and lustrous eyes."

(2) In Surah Al-Tur

"...And We shall join them to companions, with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes."

(3) In Surah Rahman

"Companions restrained (as to their glances), in goodly pavilions."

(4) In Surah Al-Waqiah

"And (there will be) companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes."

Many translators of the Quran have translated the word "hoor" as ‘beautiful maidens’ especially in Urdu translations, but The word hoor is actually the plural of ahwar (male) and of haura (female), thus the word is sexualy neutral and signifies a person having eyes characterized by "hauar" a special quality bestowed upon a good soul and it denotes the intense whiteness of the white part of the spiritual eye.

The Qur’an describes in several other verses that in paradise you will have "azwaj" which can mean a spouse or companion.

"But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before", for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (forever)".

"But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath – their eternal home; therein shall they have companions pure and holy: we shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening".

As I understand it, the Quran is simply telling us that we, male or female, will not be alone in the hereafter. We will have those we love here and in the hereafter around us and with us in the next life. It may also be telling us that many of our companions and neighbors who we become close to in Paradise will not be human, but perhaps Jinn and perhaps even species from other worlds. (I for one do not think we are "alone", and I believe that in paradise we will be able to study and enjoy the whole of Allah's creation.)

And yes, it is these references, and weak hadeeth, (unfounded supposed sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) that has helped to create the 72 virgins myth.

Peace.