"Remind yourself of Paradise,
which is as wide as
the heavens and earth."
If you are hungry in this world, if you are sad, ill or oppressed, remember the eternal bliss of Paradise. If you do this, then your losses are really profits and the hardships you face are really gifts.
The most wise of people are those that work for the Hereafter, because it is better and everlasting. And the most foolish of mankind are those that see this world as their eternal abode - in it reside all of their hopes.
You will find such people to be the most grief-stricken of all when faced with calamity. They will be the most affected by worldly loss simply because they see nothing beyond the insignificant lives that they lead. They see and think only of this impermanent life. They wish for nothing to spoil them in their state of felicity.
Were they to remove the veil of ignorance from their eyes, they would commune with themselves about the eternal abode - its bliss, pleasures, and castles. They would listen attentively when they are informed through the Qur’an and the Sunnah about its description.
Indeed, that is the abode that deserves our attention and merits our striving and our toiling, so that we may achieve the best of it.
Have we reflected at length about the description of the inhabitants of Paradise? Illness does not befall them, grief does not come near them, they die not, they remain young, and their attire remains both perfect and clean, they are in a beautiful home.
In Paradise is found that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined. The rider travels under a tree in Paradise for one hundred years and yet he does not reach its end. The length of a tent in Paradise is sixty miles. Its rivers are constant, its castles lofty, and its fruits close-by, easily picked.
"Therein will be a running spring.
Therein will be thrones raised high,
and cups set at hand,
and cushions set in rows,
and rich carpets [all] spread out."
[Surah al-Ghashiyah; 12-16].
The happiness of Paradise will be absolute. So why do we not contemplate this?
If that will be our final destination then the hardships of this world are less heavy than they may seem., so let the hearts of the afflicted find solace.
O’ you who live in poverty, or are afflicted with calamity, work righteous deeds so that you shall live in Allah’s Paradise, welcomed with the words:
"Peace he upon you,
because you persevered in patience.
Excellent indeed is the final home!"
[Surah ar-Ra’d; 24].
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'Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me! How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.'Our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the hereafter, and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.' (Qur'an, 2:200-201) (AAMEEN)
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