Page 219 - Matter: The Other Name for Illusion

Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good pleasure
and Gardens where they will enjoy everlasting delight, remaining in
them timelessly, for ever and ever. Truly there is an immense reward
with God. (Surat at-Tawba: 21-22)
As for him whose balance is heavy, he will have a most pleasant life.

(Surat al-Qari'a: 6-7)
Furthermore, someone who knows that it is God Who allows him to see

these delightful images will take even greater pleasure from the fact. For
example, someone who picks an apple from a tree, with its lovely smell and
pleasing appearance, and thinks of God Who has created that smell and
appearance for him, will enjoy that image even more than other people. God
will prepare different images of heaven for each believer, and the best
examples of whatever a believer's soul craves will be given to him there. In this
world and in the hereafter, a person's only friend, protector and creator is God.
All the prophets, apostles, devout believers, houris and others that he will see
with him in heaven are beings that form the clearest manifestation of God's

friendship, love and closeness.
It is quite evident that God allows us to receive this totality of perceptions
throughout our lives. An honest person who realizes this can feel no doubt
about His justice, flawless creation, and that He creates the best and most
beautiful of everything. God will also create heaven and hell within an image
as perceptions. Yet that fact does not change the promises God makes in the
Koran. While a person is offered the greatest joys and pleasures for all eternity

in heaven, the terrible suffering in hell for unbelievers will also last for all
eternity. God's creation is flawless, and He keeps His promises.
Those are people from whom We accept the best of what they have done

and pass over their evil deeds. They are among the Companions of the
Garden, in fulfillment of the true promise made to them. (Surat al-
Ahqaf: 16)

As verses make clear, heaven exists at this very moment in the sight of
God. He has created heaven and hell, and both of them exist, in time and form,
in His sight.

Replies To Objections Regarding The Reality Of Matter 217