hoor

Hoor, also transliterated as hoor or hour, is a term from Arabic (حُور) commonly rendered in English as houris. In Islamic eschatology, hoors are described as beautiful, pure female beings believed to inhabit paradise and to be companions of the believers. The term is generally treated as plural; the singular form in classical Arabic is less commonly used in translations.

The word derives from a root associated with whiteness, brightness, and beauty, and in traditional exegesis it connotes physical beauty, chastity, and reward. In the Qur'an, hoors are mentioned in several passages as inhabitants of paradise, living in bliss with their spouses. The exact nature of hoors has been the subject of varying interpretations; some scholars emphasize a literal, physical existence, while others view the descriptions as symbolic or allegorical illustrations of reward beyond human comprehension.

In broader reception, translations and discussions of hoors have influenced Western depictions of paradise in some literary and religious contexts, and terms and images associated with hoors have appeared in popular culture and polemics. Within Muslim communities, beliefs about houris range from traditional, literal readings to more nuanced or metaphorical understandings, reflecting diverse theological and cultural perspectives.

Beyond religious texts, Hoor may also be used as a personal name or surname in some cultures, reflecting its origins as a word with positive connotations of beauty.