Illiyin


Illiyin or Illiyun is a Quranic term referring to either the "most high" and "supreme" places above Jannah, i.e. the Garden of Eden or paradise, in the seventh heaven closest to the Throne of God, or, according to a different interpretation, a register for the blessed or record of the righteous, which is mentioned in Surah al-Muṭaffifīn of the Quran. The antithesis of Illiyin is Sijjin.

Etymology

The word as an adjective, apparently pronounced in such a way to parallel with sijjīn, is a plural of ʿaliyy meaning "high, exalted, lofty, excellent" from the very common root ʿ-L-W related to exalting, becoming high or elevating. The very similar-sounding Hebrew word ʿelyṓn meaning "upper, top, uppermost" or "Most High" as an epithet of God, derives from an equivalent root but is however not a direct cognate since Hebrew plurals end in "-im".

Shia tradition

According to some Shia traditions, the Ahl al-Bayt were created from the earth of Illiyin.