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Is there a scope for betterment in Paradise? Some Questions and answers about Paradise

One thing is sure that a loss tells us the importance of a gain and scarcity tells us about abundance. In other words the bounties of God can be compared to their destruction. If we had no diseases in this world we would not be able to know what a good health is. If there was no unrest in this world we would not what peace and tranquility means in our life.

But there is no death or decay in Paradise, no unrest, and no disease or other problems. This is why the importance of those bounties will diminish and will not be pleasant any more.

The answer to this premise is not very difficult because the residents of Paradise will be observing others in Hell and can compare with them. Once they see the great difference between them and then observe the bounties bestowed on them they will feel grateful and happy.

Qura’n has mentioned this in many places. The people in Paradise will see those in Hell. In verse 50 of Surah A’raf the Book says:

“The people in Hell will call out to the people in Paradise, “Give us some water and some from the sustenance bestowed on you by God but they will be answered, “Both these things have been forbidden for those who rejected Him.”

The verses 50, 51, 55 and 57 of Surah Saffat say:

“Then they will ask one another and one among them will say, “Verily I had an intimate friend in the world”.55. He looked down and saw him in Hell. 57 (He said) “Had it not been for my Lord’s grace I would have been there with you in the fire.”

Verse 44 of Surah A’raf says:

“ The residents of Paradise will call out to the residents of Hell, “ Indeed we have found what our Lord promised us to be true; have you too found His promise to be truthful?” they will answer “ Yes indeed!” Then a crier will call out to them that the curse of God in on the unjust.”

It is clear from these verses that neither the people of Paradise are oblivious of those in neither Hell nor are the latter oblivious of the former. The knowledge of the residents of Paradise will increase their pleasure that they are safe from punishments and enjoy the bounties while the residents of Hell will be sad and in pain.

There is a hadith from Imam Sadiq that says:

“Every person has a house in Paradise and Hell. When the residents of Paradise take up their dwelling and the residents of Hell are thrown into it there will be a cry that says, “O dwellers of Paradise Look there. They will look at Hell and then their houses in hell will rise and they will be told, “You would have been in these houses had you disobeyed God.”

If any one could die with happiness then the residents of Paradise would have died because they were saved from such a great punishment.

The condition of the residents of Hell to has been described in this hadith and they will be told to look at the abodes of those in Paradise and it would make them sad as if they wanted to die because of it. (1)

There is a similar meaning conveyed in a hadith of the Holy messenger (2):

“The presence of two houses and stations for every mankind denotes his inner capacity and capability. The houses in paradise and hell have been built accordingly. This does not contract what we have said earlier that a person builds his abode according to his deeds.

On the other side we can say that the dwellers of Paradise will never forget the events and incidents in this world. They can understand their status and be grateful for the bounties they have after comparing it with the life in this world.

Verses 25 to 27 of Surah Tur say:

“They shall come to each other making mutual enquiries. “Verily we feared before this for our family but God has bestowed His grace on us and He has saved us from the chastisement of the scorching winds.”

It is clear that the dwellers of Paradise remember the hardships of this world. And compare their present condition with that of the past and it enhances the bounties that they presently enjoy.

 


 

1. Behar-ol-Anwar vol.8 page 125 hadith 26
2. Tafsir Durre Manshur quoted by Al Mizan for Surah A’raf.

 

Is there a scope for betterment in Paradise? Some Questions and answers about Paradise
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