Page 81 - Beauties for Life in the Qur'an

AESTHETICS AND ARTISTRY IN THE QUR'AN 79

and many other goods mentioned in the Qur'an to give human-
ity pleasure. The beauty that Allah will grant to His true ser-
vants in Paradise are praised:
They will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade.
They will be adorned with silver bracelets... (Surat al-Insan: 21)
In this verse, Allah draws our attention to the value of silk and
brocade. As the verse maintains, silver jewelry is one of the or-
naments that Allah created for humanity. For example, silver
bracelets are mentioned in many verses.
Another verse stresses the beauty of gold bracelets and pearls:
But Allah will admit those who believe and do right actions into
Gardens with rivers flowing under them, where they will be
adorned with gold bracelets and pearls, and where their cloth-
ing will be of silk. (Surat al-Hajj: 23)
Allah has indicated that pearls are distinguished ornaments
that will be granted to believers as rewards in Paradise.
In return for all of this beauty, people are asked only to give
due thanks to Allah and live according to His commands. Those
who do so will be rewarded with Paradise and will receive infi-
nite favors and beauty for all eternity. Otherwise, they may
make temporary use of the means existing here, none of which
will help them on the Day of Judgment, when all people will
have to account for their deeds. Eventually, such people will de-
serve Hell, a place of eternal and utter malice.

Decoration
Allah, Who has given humanity the best form, also has in-
spired people to derive pleasure from aesthetic things. Among
all created beings, only humans are cognizant of the concept of
"beauty." People not only enjoy beautiful things, but also try to
produce them.