Page 26 - Paradise: The Believers' Real Home

24 PARADISE

believers, the Prophets being the foremost among believers.
For example, our Prophet (saas), who was given the good tid-
ings of the highest ranks of Paradise in the Qur'an, was some-
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one whom Allah made rich in this life: "Did He not find you
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i impoverished and enrich you?" (Surat ad-Duha, 8). In addition,

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the Qur'an mentions the riches and possessions given to
Prophets Dawud (as), Sulayman (as), Ibrahim (as), and Dhu'l
Qarnayn (as) several times.
Giving blessings and beauty in this world as a reward and
encouragement, as well as an indication to sincere believers of
our Lord's grace and favor, is one of Allah's unchanging laws.
Since wealth, splendor, and beauty are Paradise's most basic
characteristics, Allah creates similar blessings here to remind
His chosen servants of Paradise and to increase their ardor
and desire to attain it. Therefore, just as unbelievers already
begin their eternal anguish in this world, sincere believers
begin to see the eternal beauty promised to them.
Believers live far from every spiritual anxiety and sorrow,
because they remain in the awareness of Allah, Who created
them, and so conform to His commands and prohibitions; be-
cause they live according to Islam, the religion that Allah was
pleased to choose for humanity; and, most importantly, be-
cause they nurture hope and great expectations for the life to
come. Above all, our Lord's assistance and support is with
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them, for: "Allah sent down His serenity on His Messenger r
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a and on the believers" (Surat at-Tawba, 26). Believers find a
sense of comfort in the knowledge that Allah sees them in