Page 122 - The Truth of the Life of This World

Paradise

Allah promises paradise to those who come to His presence as believ-
ers. Surely, Allah does not fail to keep His promise. People whose faith is
assured, know that their Creator will keep His promise and that they will
be accepted in paradise provided that they live as true believers in this
world:

Paradise of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His
slaves in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass. (Surah
Maryam: 61)

The moment of entering paradise is the most important time for the
faithful who believe and do good deeds. All through their lives, they strove
for it, prayed for it and performed right actions to obtain it. In the pres-
ence of Allah, it is surely the best place to stay and the real place to attain:
paradise, the place specially prepared for believers. Allah describes this
unique moment in the following verse:
Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous
among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring. And angels shall enter
unto them from every gate (with the salutation): "Peace unto you for that you
persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!" (Surat ar-Rad:
23-24)

The Beauty of Paradise
The parable of Paradise which the righteous are promised! Beneath it flow
rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof and the shade therein. Such is the
end of the righteous; and the end of disbelievers is hell. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 35)
An excellent vista of lakes, rivers, and lush greenery is the sort of par-
adise imagined by the ordinary person. However this image of paradise
needs to be clarified because it does not accurately reflect the Qur'anic
point of view. It is certainly true that paradise has significant natural beau-
ty; which is one of its perfect blessings. It is yet another beautiful aspect
that splendid mansions are built in shady gardens, by flowing rivers.
However such accounts will definitely prove to be inadequate to the mag-

nificence of paradise.

120 Man's True Abode: Hereafter