Concepts of Hell and Paradise

TM wrote: 1st of all they should explain, why should we 21st Century Space Age Adults believe in 7th Century illiterate ignorant Bedouin's Fairy Tale of Hell and Paradise in Sky, when our Telescopes find none of them in Sky?

Some Moslims claim, "Oh Hell and Paradise are just states of Mind, not something Physically existent" but when I ask, "If they are Non Physical, why Allah is talking about Physical Pain then?", they never come back to answer my question.  

Reply: Believers in the revelations have faith that whatever is written in the scriptures is true. We Muslims take the entire Quran on faith, acknowledging our acute lack of knowledge, and pray that God increases us in knowledge and guidance, and turns to us in forgiveness and mercy. 

I have tried to understand some of the verses which convey to us some information of the Hereafter. I'm sharing them here in case they help answer some questions. Please find below the abstracts and links to the full text:  

Bliss & Realm Magnificent 

Many verses throughout the Qur’an describe various aspects of the Garden promised to those who believe and do good deeds. Surah 76 of the Qur’an begins with evolutionary insignificance (76:1), origin and purpose of the human (76:2), divine guidance (76:3), punishment for rejection (76:4), and then goes on to describe some very specific features of the promised reward, which represent the best of the best of those found on Earth. Then, verse 22 states that: 

76:22 إِنَّ هَـٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَاءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا

[Al-Qur’an 76:22, translator: Sahih International] [And it will be said], "Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.”

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/bliss-realm-magnificent.html

Fuel of Hell: Humans and Stones 

The Quran verse 2:24, describes humans and stones as fuel of The Fire prepared for the disbelievers. The Quran also mentions that though those in The Fire will wish death or escape, yet they will have no choice but to endure the punishment continuously. In this Concept, occurrences in nature of stones and creatures under high temperature and pressure, and other unusual circumstances, has been explored, as an attempt to imagine the possibility of humans enduring The Fire while being a renewable fuel source.   

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/fuel-of-hell-humans-and-stones.html 

Setting of the Stars 

Qur’an chapter 56 links the Inevitable Event to the ‘setting’ of the stars [end stage of stellar evolution?] with the statement that, if we understood, we would realise it is a great oath! Qur’an verses 17:49-51 state that even if humans became stones or iron, or anything harder that humans can imagine, yet they will be resurrected. 

Current theory of Stellar Evolution postulates that the end stage of a massive star’s life is when silicon is burnt into iron. Beyond this, according to the theory, no further burning is possible.

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/04/setting-of-stars.html 

Alternate Biochemistry 

In this Concept, the plausibility of alternate biochemistry is explored on the basis of known exotic creatures. The Quran 56:60-62 speaks of resurrection in an unknown form of creation, while drawing attention to the fact that we already know the first form of creation. 

Scientists continue to be amazed and baffled by the life forms that are being discovered in the most extreme and hostile of environments — it seems that the new challenge is to be able to not find life somewhere. Life seems to exist in all possible conditions. As the saying goes: life finds a way!  

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/alternate-biochemistry.html 

Orientation: Right or Left 

Regarding the Day of Judgement and the Hereafter, the Quran provides vivid details in terms of left and right orientations. There are many teachings attributed to Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w. (may Allah’s blessings be upon him)) regarding the preferred usage of right or left hand  or foot. 

Preferences for right and left orientation are also found in nature. We can attempt to contemplate upon the guidance with concepts of Chirality found across all sciences.

Noor is another term used in connection with the right-oriented. Luminescence, and particularly bioluminescence found in several organisms helps comprehend this concept. 

Though we may still not comprehend it fully, let alone draw any conclusions, however it opens our minds to possibilities beyond the ordinary, and helps us to appreciate the wisdom of the teachings, and more readily accept guidance on faith. 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/orientation-right-or-left.html 

And Allah knows best! 

MSA wrote: Your blog does not answer following questions:
-if Iblees is immortal, and if he would face Allah on the Day of Judgment without being resurrected?
-What punishment would he be subjected to for his continuous, and uninterrupted mischiefs with human beings?
-Does Ibless have influence over animals and Jinns as well?

Response: 
The Quran and prior scriptures may or may not have addressed the specific points raised below. There are some related verses which give some idea, such as: 

Iblees accepting that his promise was false:   

وَقَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي فَلَا تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُوا أَنفُسَكُم مَّا أَنَا بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُصْرِخِيَّ إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَا أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And will say the Shaitaan, when has been decided the matter, "Indeed, Allah promised you a promise (of) truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But not I had over you any authority except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So (do) not blame me, but blame yourselves. Not (can) I (be) your helper and not you (can) (be) my helper. Indeed, I deny [of what] your association of me (with Allah) before. Indeed, the wrongdoers, for them (is) a punishment painful." 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/14/22/ 

Jinns and Humans being led to Hell:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُوا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ قَالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا وَشَهِدُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا كَافِرِينَ

قَالَ ادْخُلُوا فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُم مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ فِي النَّارِ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَّعَنَتْ أُخْتَهَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا ادَّارَكُوا فِيهَا جَمِيعًا قَالَتْ أُخْرَاهُمْ لِأُولَاهُمْ رَبَّنَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ أَضَلُّونَا فَآتِهِمْ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا مِّنَ النَّارِ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَعْلَمُونَ

Then who (is) more unjust than (one) who invented against Allah a lie or denies His Verses? Those - will reach them their portion from the Book, until when comes to them Our messengers (Angels) (to) take them in death they say, "Where are those (whom) you used to invoke besides Allah?" They say, "They strayed from and they (will) testify against themselves that they were disbelievers. He (will) say, "Enter among (the) nations (who) passed away before you of the jinn and the men in the Fire." Every time entered a nation it cursed its sister (nation) until when they had overtaken one another in it all, (will) say (the) last of them about the first of them, "Our Lord, these misled us so give them double punishment of the Fire." He (will) say, "For each (is) a double [and] but not you know." 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/7/37/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/7/38/ 

The Jinns realising that they had been lied to when they heard the Quran: 

وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا

وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن تَقُولَ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا

And that he used to speak - the foolish among us against Allah an excessive transgression. And that we thought that never will say the men and the jinn, against Allah any lie. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/72/4/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/72/5/

Full Chapter (Surah al-Jinn): http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=72

The Sky being guarded by Strongholds made of Teenin Lazib: 

فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَا إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍ

Then ask them, "Are they a stronger creation or (those) whom We have created?" Indeed, We created them from a clay sticky.

http://islamawakened.com/quran/37/11/

My understanding of Teenin Lazib as mentioned in Al-Quran 37:4-12

What are comets made of? 

فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَا ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍ

Then ask them: are they stronger in creation or whom we have created? We created them of ‘teenin lazibin’

Verse 37:11 goes on to question who is more difficult to create, and unequivocally states that We created them from ‘teenin lazibin’. According to Lane’s Lexicon, ’teenin’ is clay or mud, while ‘lazibin’ means fixed, settled, firm or constant, and severe. Could the above verse be describing what comets are made of? 

The findings from the Stardust mission to collect comet samples indicates: ‘Scientists found a wide variety in particle composition and size in the Wild 2 samples. Most of the Wild 2 samples appear to be weakly constructed mixtures of very small grains with a few larger grains. Also, a wide range of high- and low-temperature minerals, from olivine to low- and high-calcium pyroxene compositions, is present in the Wild 2 samples. Such a diversity of high- and low-temperature minerals requires a wide range of formation conditions, probably reflecting different formation locations. Many particles did not form in the cold environment and locations where cometary ices condensed. Instead, they needed high temperatures to form, as well as complex and as yet little understood dynamical processes to end up where comets actually formed. Also, particles from different environments must have undergone some process of accretion to end up as aggregates composed of different minerals.’ [http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news110.html ] 

A new picture of Comets is emerging: The Electric Comet 

My interpretation of the verse: Indeed your Deity is One. The Lord of the Heavens and Earth and all that is between them, and Lord of all origins; We have adorned the Heaven of the world with adornment of the hard glistening rocky celestial bodies; and guarding against every rebellious devil; they cannot listen to the Exalted Assembly for they are pelted from every side; outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; except such as who snatches by stealth, is pursued by a piercing flame; Then ask them: are they stronger in creation or whom we have created? We created them of ‘teenin lazibin’. But, you wonder and they make fun. 

May Allah guide us to a better and clearer understanding of His Message. Amen. 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/guarding-sky.html 

Quran: Fact or Fiction

Related posts:

Blog: Signs and Science

Factual Accuracy of the Quran

In between a discussion with Mr. G, Mr ST quipped: 

Right, right. And the solid Roof that Allah built for our security over our Earth built by Allah like our Bed, the Paradise and Hell in Sky, the 7 Skies etc. can not be seen by Humans or their Science either. 

We are 5 years old Kids and we must believe in Fair Tales of Allah, not facts of Science.

My response: I've been studying the factual accuracy of the Quran. Please see: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com 

Mr. ST responds: I had read all that kind of stuff half a century ago so, don't tell me, I am now going to find anything new in it, 5 years old Kid ...!

Later the same day, Mr. ST asks:  

But please tell us Atheists, who should we believe you instead of thinking, Allah or God was creation of Human Minds since it has never proven that it really exists?

* Where are Paradise and Hell of Allah or God in Sky?

* Why they had to be Physically non existent like Allah or God?

* Why is Earth not flat like Allah had spread it like a Carpet and declared it like a Bed or 'farash' for us?

* Why Sun is shining on other side of Earth after it has turned dark, where we live instead of prostrating to Throne of Allah and waiting for his commands to rise from East as Allah had said in Qoraan? 

* Why the Roof that Allah had built over Earth calling it a Sky is not existence?

* Why we do not find Sun and Stars circling around Earth as Allah had told us that they do?

* Why we do not find ourselves born out of Blood Clot?

You see, you may not even understand these questions because we know, your Brain is like a 5 years old Kid, who does not understand between Fact and Fiction so please stop wasting our time with your Childish B.S. ...! 

My Reply: I cannot force you to read my blog[http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/] but should you choose to read it, you might be surprised! If you do indulge, suggest you start with the following: 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/06/dhu-al-qarnayn-polar-regions-of-earth.html 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/05/people-of-cave.html 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/10/creation.html 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/10/sunrise-from-west.html 

Hell fire for Kufr?

SG responding to a debate to someone's comment on an email list:  ...Allah or God or Krishna or Yayweh is not so narrow minded to ask his followers to kill non believers. I think this hatred against non believers and I remember seeing a verse in Quran about non believers going to hell fire may be just added for political reasons in Saudi Arabia. God is all loving and I don't see any reason on why he will give such kind of punishment to non believers or kufr.

My response: 

In Surah Ahzab, the reason for judgement is given as follows:

[http://quran.com/33/72-73 translator: Pickthall]

Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he hath proved a tyrant and a fool. So Allah punisheth hypocritical men and hypocritical women, and idolatrous men and idolatrous women. But Allah pardoneth believing men and believing women, and Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

In Surah Yasin, the warning is reiterated:

[http://quran.com/36/60-63 translator: Pickthall]

Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil - Lo! he is your open foe! - But that ye worship Me? That was the right path. Yet he hath led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then no sense? This is hell which ye were promised (if ye followed him).

In Surah Araf, we are reminded:

[http://quran.com/7/172-174 translator: Pickthall]

And (remember) when thy Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily. We testify. (That was) lest ye should say at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this we were unaware; Or lest ye should say: (It is) only (that) our fathers ascribed partners to Allah of old and we were (their) seed after them. Wilt Thou destroy us on account of that which those who follow falsehood did? Thus we detail the revelations, that haply they may return. 

SG response: This Sura 33/72-73 is almost identical to the commandment Moses have to his followers. This is similar to "Thou shall not worship Idols". I just want to say that this commandment is only applicable to Jews, Christians and Muslims. In one of the ancient Upanishads (revelations of God to great sages) God has given instructions on how he can be worshipped in a physical form made out of a stone, metal or a wood. In the famous temple of puri God is carved in a wooden form. I don't see it nothing as Idol worship here. It is god's instruction in very ancient times to worship him in this wooden form. So this instruction of Surah punishing idolatrous men and women have to be carefully analyzed. In fact this very instruction of Quran is responsible for destruction of so many temples by Aurangzeb in India bringing direct conflict with Hindus in ancient times. Less powerful kings kept quiet and more powerful kings fought against him.  

My response: 

I had quoted Quran verse 33:72 in response to your following comment: "...  I remember seeing a verse in Quran about non believers going to hell fire may be just added for political reasons in Saudi Arabia. God is all loving and I don't see any reason on why he will give such kind of punishment to non believers or kufr." 

Quran 33:72 states that the reason why humans must be judged is because humans undertook a certain responsibility: "Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he hath proved a tyrant and a fool." 

Please note that God is going to judge and reward/punish in the Hereafter. These verses are not giving the license to anyone to judge or punish anyone on Earth. They are simply informing the reader that even though humans do not have enough knowledge of the unseen nor memory of what went before being sent on Earth, rest assured that there is no injustice being done. Human chose to bear the Trust and its a consequence of that that humans must be judged and recompensed for their performance in the life on Earth. 

I'm surprised to learn from your email that in the Upanishads it is permissible to worship god in physical form, while, according to the research of Dr. Zakir Naik, the Vedas strictly forbids any image of God. 

i.  Yajurveda Chapter 32, Verse 3  It is mentioned in Yajurveda  “na tasya pratima asti”  “There is no image of Him”

Is not the Vedas more sacred than the Upanishads, and the teachings of the Vedas most sacred of all Hindu teachings?    

Link to Dr Zakir Naik's 'Similarities between Islam and Hinduism: 

http://www.islamawareness.net/Hinduism/ZakirNaik/ 

The page from where I've quoted Yujurveda 32:3 

http://www.islamawareness.net/Hinduism/ZakirNaik/part2.html  

What will Human Females get in the Hereafter?

Question: I was raised a 'believer' and studied several religions to end up as a "scientific agnostic" who does not know the 'why'-s and 'how'-s but asks questions about items other people believe in. 

Many yeas ago on a different list I engaged in a discussion when an irate 'believer' bursted out: "who gave you the audacity to feel so much 'smarter' than the rest of us?" so now I keep my mouth shut. - As far as I can (??). Then again on another kind of list I asked a female Muslim US professor about Huris and what happens to human females after death? the answer was: it is not so simple. Nothing more. 

Do you have a solution to (human) women whether they go straight to hell, or to heaven? What happens to them THERE(?) ? 

The other day I heard a cute solution for nonbelievers on TV (it was a stupid soap opera): a priest said to a nonbeliever: God offers solace to the universe for those who believe. Why to the universe? otherwise it is OK. 

I do not bother you with more of my questions but am interested in the solution for the womenfolk (both terresstrial and afterwordian). 

Answer: According to what I read in the Quran and my understanding of it, all of us humans, men and women, are in pledge for our beliefs and our deeds (Quran 52:21), and will benefit from our truthfulness (Quran 5:119). We are all being tested, and all those who pass this terrestrial exam and get accepted in Heaven, will find their reward, far above and beyond their expectations and imagination (Quran 32:17), awaiting them! God is keeping an accurate account of all thoughts and deeds, and the record doesn't leave out a single thing (Quran 18:49). 

In Quran, 66:10-12, God gives the example of four women: two who disbelieved (the wife of Noah and and wife of Lot) who will not be able to enter Heaven in spite of having been married to righteous persons in this world, and God gives the example of two believing women (Aasiya, the queen of Pharoah, and Maryam, the daughter of Imran / mother of Jesus) who will enter Heaven because of their righteousness.    

While many verses speak of fair and just reward for all believing men and women, 'huris' are mentioned in only four of the 6000+ verses of the Quran. Mostly 'huris' are understood to be females, but I'm not too sure about that, as the word itself is neuter gender in Arabic. Whether we humans will retain our genders or not in Heaven and if there will be sex / procreation in Heaven is also subject to speculation. Honestly, I don't know, but I trust that all those who are accepted in Heaven, will be in a perfect state of joy, comfort, happiness and pleasure. When I dwell upon the various verses of the Quran giving a preview of Heaven, I think the human soul's yearning for the perfect person, its soulmate, will be fulfilled. 

As regards the terrestrial portion of your question, men and women are but two types of humans, one of whom is responsible for the financial and security needs of the family (the man), while the other (the woman) has the domestic responsibility. In many ways, women enjoy a privileged position. I attempted to answer a similar question some years ago, you may wish to read this: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/11/to-be-or-not-to-be-equal-comments-on.html 

I hope I've answered your main question. Please feel free to ask further. 

Reproduced below are few relevant verses: 

5:119 Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. [Translator: Sahih International] 

6:32 And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah , so will you not reason? [Translator: Sahih International]

9:71 The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. [Translator: Sahih International]

18:49 And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one. [Translator: Sahih International]

24:26 Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women; such are innocent of that which people say: For them is pardon and a bountiful provision. [Translator: Pickthall]

32:17 And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do. [Translator: Sahih International]

33:35 Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Translator: Sahih International] 

33:58 And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin. [Translator: Sahih International] 

47:19 Know thou therefore that there is no god but God, and ask forgiveness for thy sin, and for the believers, men and women. God knows your going to and fro, and your lodging. [Translator: Arberry] 

52:21 And those who believed, and their seed followed them in belief, We shall join their seed with them, and We shall not defraud them of aught of their work; every man shall be pledged for what he earned. [Translator: Arberry] 

57:18 Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward. [Translator: Sahih International] 

The 4 verses about Houris / Hoors 

44:54  Thus (shall it be), and We will wed them with Houris pure, beautiful ones. [Translator: Shakir] 

52:20 Reclining on ranged couches. And we wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes. [Translator: Pickthall] 

55:72 Fair ones, close-guarded in pavilions - [Translator: Pickthall] 

56:22 And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,- [Translator: Yusuf Ali]   

Trial & Retribution

Question: Allow me please one more question: how is it balanced with the Day of the Divine Final Sentencing that people die now and some go to Heaven and some to Hell? (I am referring to the "72 virgins" vs. the "fire-created" Satan-helpers torture in Hell).

Answer: I am not too clear on what exactly is the question, but let me share my understanding of trial and retribution, and please feel free to ask again if this does not meet your query. 

This life on Earth is a trial for each human, we each have a unique set of questions, situations, backgrounds, aptitudes, etc, and we all have a potential for good and evil, as well as the free-will to choose and intend. The trial ends with death. Everything that we think, do, believe, wish, hope, desire, imagine, etc., is all being continuously recorded. God is ever-present and witness to everything (including the trials set forth for each one), and never forgets. Further, God has arranged for it all to be recorded, and there are angels recording everything, which will be presented as a scroll, so completely detailed that we ourselves will be able to evaluate ourselves and know whether we belong in Heaven or Hell. 
The operating principle about Divine Judgement is that nobody will be wronged in the least. I think that includes God, since ascribing partners to God is stated as the greatest and most unforgivable wrong. 
Hell is something over which all will have to pass (Quran 19:70, 71). It is imagined as a bridge which each one must cross to make it to Heaven. There are many suggested prayers in the Quran to ask for protection from the fire. However, Heaven is only mentioned as a reward and final destination for those whom God blesses with His Approval. Those who are blessed by God, will be able to pass over the bridge upon Hell, and reach Heaven. Those who have earned Hell will fall therein. Those whose scales are neither titled in favour of Heaven or Hell will be assigned either Heaven or Hell in God's infinite wisdom and knowledge, the operating principle again being that none will be wronged in the least.    
According to a scholar, there are three categories upon death: (1) the large general category who will remain in a state of sleep till resurrection and will then face their deeds. (2) the few who have lived their lives so well that they have earned God's approval and are greeted by angels with the good news of Heaven, and continue to live (in another world veiled from us, not reincarnation here) or dream in a state of bliss till resurrection (3) the few who have earned and incurred divine wrath and will endure torture and suffering from the moment they die till the day of resurrection when they will finally enter Hell 
I do not find the count of 72 virgins in the Quran. Yes, other books do refer to such things and attribute such sayings as explanations from the Prophet. If I may borrow your phrase: 'I dunno' :) What I do know is that the Quran says so many things and gives so many analogies and similitudes of Paradise. It speaks of a magnificent realm, gardens with subterranean rivers, moderate weather and shades, plentiful and delicious fruits and meats, milk and honey, and non-intoxicating drinks in crystalline silver goblets, fine clothing of silk and gold, family, pairs or spouses (soul-mates?), fulfilment of all desires, such peace and serenity that no one would ever desire any change of state, ... and it also mentions 'hurs' or virgins with beautiful eyes, but as I've mentioned in an earlier exchange, the word itself is neuter gender, so again, I dunno. Another thing that is mentioned in the Quran, and which makes a lot of sense to me in terms of the widely differing trials and lifestyles of the haves and have-nots in this world, is that good things in the life of this world are actually for the good people to expect and know what awaits them in a better, more excellent, perfected form in Heaven, and deprivation and suffering is also a preview of a much more intense form of what will be given as punishment in Hell. However, please note that what we enjoy or endure in this life is neither reward nor punishment, it's just our question paper, and the easier it seems, the more sternly will it be judged. We will be questioned about all the good that we are given, including all comforts, conveniences and abilities, and will have to account for how we used them.   
Does the above address your question? 

Hell

A few comments on Hell prompted this response
Comment1: I have absolutely no belief in Hell, in fact I think very few people outside the Abrahamic faiths do. It's a horrible place invented to force feed monotheists with scary dreams until they obey the doctrines of the church.
Comment2: Hell is believing that there is a cruel God in the sky who would condemn anybody to eternal suffering. Hell is now for all those who believe in this kind of
God.
Comment3:Actually, quite a few other religions believe in something similar to "hell", but like you, I do not accept the idea either. what kind of monster "god" would want such a thing??????........
Response:As far as Heaven or destruction is, the problem is that there probably is no absolute mortality, rather, what we believe is that death is but a prolonged sleep, and then we will be recreated(re-awkened, re-assembled, re-constructed, resurrected) on the Day of Reckoning, after which there is immortality, and whether it is Heaven or Hell, we will live in it forever.
To elaborate as I understand from the Quran, God does not wish to punish us. He wishes to purify us and guide us to a blissful eternal life in Heaven. An essentail part of the purification is the free-will and trial, and all who take the guidance and do good deeds are given the glad tidings of Heaven. Again and again, it speaks of 'and they will live in there forever'. Also, another point to note is that throughout the text, we do not find any prayer for Heaven, rather its just mentioned as a reward and a blessing. What we find are prayers to be saved from the fire. God alone can grant guidance, and that He grants only to those who exercise their free will to ask for guidance. Those who exercise their free-will in some other direction, God lets them pursue that direction. There is no compulsion in religion, but the trial and the reckoning are compulsory, and so is eternal life.
Allah mentions in the Quran 4:147
Yusuf Ali 147: What can Allah gain by your punishment, if ye are grateful and ye believe? Nay, it is Allah that recogniseth (all good), and knoweth all things.
Shakir 147: Why should Allah chastise you if you are grateful and believe? And Allah is the Multiplier of rewards, Knowing
Pickthal 147: What concern hath Allah for your punishment if ye are thankful (for His mercies) and believe (in Him)? Allah was ever Responsive, Aware.
Mohsin Khan: 147: Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing.

Will Christians go to heaven with Muslims?

Question: Will Christians go to heaven with Muslims?
Answer: As far as I understand the Holy Quran, all true believers will go to Heaven, inshAllah, while all who know in their hearts the truth, yet reject, will go to Hell. The rest to whom it is not clear, and they are still searching, sifting religions and seeking the truth, I don't know. But Allah knows what is in the hearts, and He is the best judge. He gives life and food and clothing and the comforts of this world in varying amounts to all, but guidance is given only to those who seek. We humans have been endowed with free-will, and Allah wants us to acknowledge and worship Him without any compulsion. That is why, guidance is for only those who seek it. Allah sent many prophets throughout the ages to inform, guide, give glad tidings and warn humanity. The source and the message was always the same. In the Quran, Allah speaks very highly of some Jews and Christians, informing us of how pious they are. Yet, the Quran is also replete with examples of how people throughout the ages have rejected the message, how the message has been changed/modified/corrupted, and what are the pitfalls that one must be careful of.
Daily, in our prayers, we recite the opening passage of the Quran (Surah Fateha) in which we pray for guidance and to be protected from following the path of those earn the wrath of God or who go astray.
http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=1
Being labelled a muslim/ christian/ jew/ hindu or anything else, or being born in a certain religion doesn't really seem to make any difference. The basic test is of the individual heart and soul. Those who truly believe, actively seek guidance, and try to live their life according to the guidance, in piety, ever aware of the presence of God, and the surety of returning to Him, of the Judgement and the Hereafter, will go to Heaven as that is the promise of God.
Holy Quran 5:119 Allah saith: This is a day in which their truthfulness profiteth the truthful, for theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they are secure for ever, Allah taking pleasure in them and they in Him. That is the great triumph.
http://can-you-answer.com/Truthfulness.htm

A Good God sends people to eternal damnation?

Question: I certainly do not "believe" that a Good God sends people to eternal damnation or "hell"................that kind of cruel "god" is not "love

Answer: God forbid, but just suppose, somebody robs, loots, rapes or murders you or your loved ones, how would you react? What would you demand? Will you find it in your heart to forgive this person, and let him live happily ever after? No, you would demand justice, anybody would, definitely, and immediately! God is kind enough to give us a life time to repent and mend our ways………… but it would not serve the purpose of justice if, after a lifetime of piety and obedience, of justice and fairplay, of honesty and sacrifice, of love, charity and compassion, the pious and the sinners all go to heaven…………. How would the millions who suffered at the hands of criminals in this world feel if all the criminals ended in heaven?
And don’t good doctors prescribe medicines which good people take to rid their bodies of harmful bacteria and viruses?
Don’t good people use pesticide to keep their houses pest-free?
Don’t good legislators make appropriate laws to deal with the criminals in society?
Don’t good cops try and prevent criminal activities, and arrest suspects?

Quran repeatedly threatens the unbelievers

Q: threats (the unbelievers are fuel for hell Quran, 2.24)

A: I repeat, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, is reaching out to us again and over again, inviting us to a wonderful reward, a life of peace on Earth, and an eternal life of happiness and well-being. At the same time, He is also warning us again and again of the consequences of flunking this temporal, open-book exam, as, even though His love for His creatures is great, He is also the Most Just, and Always FULFILLS HIS PROMISE, thus the continuous reminder of Hell.