Page 30 - Paradise: The Believers' Real Home

28 PARADISE

Favor to all who merit it. But if you turn your
backs, I fear for you the punishment of a Mighty
Day. (Surah Hud, 3)

In other words, seeking Allah's forgiveness and turning to
Him in repentance are duties enjoined upon all faithful
Muslims. These attitudes show that believers are aware of
how helpless and weak they are before Allah, for they know
their errors and shortcomings and are aware that they can
make mistakes. Therefore, they desire Allah's mercy. As our
Lord has said, He rewards such people here for their fine
morality and gives them a good life until they die. In another
verse, He describes the believers' earthly life in this way:
When those who have fear of Allah are asked,
"What has your Lord sent down?" their reply is,
"Good!" There is good in this world for those who
do good, and the abode of the hereafter is even
better. How wonderful is the abode of those who
guard against evil. (Surat an-Nahl, 30)

When all of this life's beauties are compared with the land
to come, they become completely valueless. Therefore, if a
goal is to be chosen, it can only be the life of the world to
come. Allah increases the blessings of those believers who, al-
ready in this world, have set their hearts on the life to come.
In their prayers, believers pray for the world to come and
ask Allah for blessings and good in this life. Examples of such
prayers are given in the following verses:
When you have completed your rites, remember