Page 294 - Quranic Wisdom - New.indd

Human Life is a Blessing of God

and no disadvantages. The criterion for deserving candidates for
Paradise is basically one, and that is, that they should not have
misused the freedom given to them by God Almighty.

There are some dos and don’ts about the uses of freedom,
and these are clearly mentioned in the Quran: it is only those
who measure up to these criteria who will be selected for entry
into Paradise in the post-death period of life.
God has divided human life into two parts -— the pre-death
period and the post-death period. The pre-death period is one
of trial. During the trial period human beings are put to the test
so that they may be judged, while the post-death period is one
of reward or punishment. Every person has been given freedom
and the crucial test is whether he misuses his freedom or uses it
properly. Through an unseen system, life is being recorded day
and night. At the end, this record will be produced before God
and, on the basis of this, God Almighty will decide the fate of
every man and woman. Those who fail to pass the test will be
thrown into the universal litterbin, while those who pass the test
will be admitted into Paradise.

Man was created for this purpose. Man was created to enjoy
the greatest blessing of God, that is, Paradise. But only such
people will experience this enjoyment who prove that they are
deserving candidates. This is the greatest blessing of God to
man. This blessing is so great that it is enough to justify all life’s
hardships.
The concept of Paradise has been ridiculed as being a beautiful
idealization of human wishes. But it would be more appropriate
to say that Paradise is a beautiful realization of human wishes.
Given the reality of desires, it is but natural that their fulfilment
should also be a reality. It is quite rational to believe that
fulfilment is possible—although far off in the future.

293