Is it valid to divide the righteous into ranks in Paradise or in the manner of their entry, based on the verses: "And those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups" (Quran 39:73), "The Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Gracious as a delegation" (Quran 19:85), and "And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous" (Quran 50:31)?

The ranks of the pious in Paradise vary according to their deeds, as indicated by verses from the Holy Quran and prophetic traditions. For example, Allah Almighty says: "And for all are degrees from what they did" and "And the Hereafter is greater in degrees and greater in excellence." And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, the people of Paradise will see the dwellers of the elevated chambers above them as you see a brilliant star disappearing in the horizon."

As for Allah Almighty's saying: "And those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise," the intent is the driving of their conveyances to the abode of honor and pleasure, for they go to it riding as a sign of honor, or it means their hastened movement towards it. This is similar to Allah Almighty's saying: "The Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation."

And Allah Almighty's saying: "And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous," means it will be brought close and near to them, either in the sense of its proximity to them before entering, or its proximity to their hearts in this world when they obeyed Allah's command, or its proximity to the Throne of the Most Merciful such that the people of the Standing [on the Day of Judgment] see it before entering it.

In conclusion, the variation in the ranks of the righteous is a confirmed matter, but the concepts of "driving" and "bringing near" have specific interpretations that do not necessarily mean walking on foot or sensory proximity in all cases.