of grandeur, quality,beauty, richness, bounteousness, well-being, and
prosperityas they did 14 centuries ago. All of the values associated
with Paradise have been desired by people of every period of history
and of every socialclass. For example, the gold, silver, and precious
jewels in Paradise, as described in the Qur'an, are even more in
demand today than they were in the past.
The Qur'an also mentions that silk will be found in Paradise. Today,
either as clothing or for decorative purposes, silk is preferred as a
high quality material.At the same time, it is a symbol of wealth and
grandeur. All of the precious things used to describe Paradise are far
more valuable today thanthey were 1,400 years ago.
Again, the beautiful residences, palaces, and mansions mentioned in
the Qur'an are luxurious places desired by everyone regardless of when
they live. Today's villas and mansions are allof this category, and
are marks of distinction, quality, and wealth.
Similarly, the thrones, couches, and cushions of Paradise form a part
of the most comfortable andgrand interior decoration. This kind of
aesthetically beautiful furnishing is today displayed in the grandest
of places.
Allah is the owner of all material things, and it belongs to His glory
to find His beloved servants worthy of all of these beautiful things,
both in this life and the next.
Does Paradise Contain Things Not Mentioned in the Qur'an?
The Qur'an describes Paradise through examples and comparisons taken
from this world, for people can imagine something unknown only in
terms ofthat which is known to them. However basic the description
might be, it gives a certain idea. The Qur'an's detailed and subtle
descriptions of Paradise's blessings show us that these blessings and
beauties are superior to the best, most beautiful, and highest quality
things to be foundin this world.
The Qur'an describes Paradise by giving examples of the most
desirable, high quality, and rarest things. For example, women with
large dark eyes have a rare quality that gives them an extremely
aesthetic and attractive appearance. Therefore, women in Paradise have
large, dark gazelle-like eyes. This does not mean that no women there
have green, blue, or brown eyes, but only serves to emphasize the
excellent quality of Paradise and Allah's statement that the finest
things here are much finerthere. To give another example: The Qur'an
says that every kind of fruit is present in Paradise. But, in various
verses, bananasand figs are generally singled out more often as the
preferred fruits. Of course, these fruits are two blessings chosen
from the infinite abundance of all fruits in Paradise.
The announcement that everything desired by everyone exists in
Paradise for their pleasureand to fulfill their hearts' desire is
enough to express the idea that Paradise's blessings are infinite and
far beyond human imagination. Everyone understands theQur'an to the
degree of his or her faith, intelligence, and sincerity. Thus
disbelievers who read it with ill-intentions will understand the
versesabout Paradise according to their own sterile ideas. However,
Paradise's superior beauty is evidentto anyone who thinks about such
verses with anopen and intelligent awareness. Allah displays a perfect
design even in the smallest details of thisworld; surely, it would be
easy for Him to create far more excellent things than these.
Indifference
Some people are indifferent to Paradise, saying: "If it comes; fine.
Ifit doesn't, that's fine too." However, in the afterlife there are
only two possibilities: Paradise or Hell. There is no option to go to
a place in between.
It is clear that someone who does not appreciate Paradise as is due,
who does not long for or desire to attain it, is unworthy of it and
will never be admitted to it. There is only one place forsuch a person
to go: Hell. For this reason, being indifferent to Allah's greatest
grace and gift to believers and not desiringto enter it, as well as
persisting in this attitude is one of the clearest signsthat he or she
belongs among the people of Hell.
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