Page 364 - Bigotry: The Dark Danger
P. 364

Bigotry:
                                       The Dark Danger



                 The Joy in Paradise and the True Meaning of Sorrow

                 God has created in paradise, our eternal abode, the way of life

             that He likes and loves; the life that our Lord praises and loves in
             paradise is therefore the ideal way of life for us. God reveals that
             people in paradise are in a state of joy:

                 As for those who had faith and did right actions, they will be
                 made joyful in a verdant meadow. (Qur'an, 30:15)
                 Fanatics wish to deprive "joyful" Muslims of this joy of paradise

             while in this world by way of these false hadiths. They are not even
             aware of the true meaning of sorrow. To grieve in the face of an
             event is equivalent to saying "I wish it had not happened" and that,
             whether a person is aware of it or not, whether he does it knowingly
             or not, is rebellion against destiny. Fanatics should be aware that by

             making grief legitimate they are opposing God's commandment and
             the destiny created by Him.

                 Faith is one of the greatest blessings that God can bestow on a
             person. For someone who has faith, the peace and happiness created
             in his heart by that faith are above all other things, even if he is
             deprived of the blessings of this world and is tested with the greatest
             of difficulties, and even if the circumstances all seem to be against

             him. God bestows peace and health on the heart that turns to Him,
             and happiness on the soul. It is impossible for someone who does not
             turn to God to be truly happy, even if he maintains otherwise. God
             may bestow the blessings of this world on such a person as part of
             the test and that person may seem to enjoy many blessings and
             delights. He may experience temporary desires and happiness.

             However, the longing in his soul will never allow him permanent
             happiness, or inner peace. In verse 28 of Surat ar-Ra'd, God says; "...
             those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remem-






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