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Goal Greater than "The Paradise"? Muslims are supposed to
believe in the concepts of The Heaven and The Hell that are defined and
described within the Glorious Qur'an. The traditional belief is that the
Believers should strive their best to enter "Al-Jannah" meaning
"The Paradise" and try to avoid the punishment of "The Hell Fire". When
a Muslim or a Muslimah leaves this world, those left behind pray:
Allah hath promised to believers men and women gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.On the subject of "Allah's Good Pleasure"here is a Verse & its Commentary: Allah will be well pleased with them and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Felicity. Surah 58, Verse 22Here is a commentary # 5366 by Abdullah Yusuf Ali to the above verse: Again we have the doctrine of Allah's Good Pleasure as the highest goal of man, the spiritual heaven which he achieves by a life of purity and faith. He not only attains Allah's Good Pleasure as the crown of his felicity, but his own nature is so far transformed to the pattern of Allah's original creation that his own good pleasure is in nothing but in Allah's Good Pleasure. The mutual good pleasure shows the heights to which man can attain.The act of transforming oneself to the pattern in which "man" was originally Created by Allah. This is a specific reference to the period when "man" made aCovenant with His Creator. The word "man" here refers to the human kind. When thy Lord drew forth from the children of Adam -- from their loins -- their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?" -- They said: "Yea! we do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful."The translator Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary # 1146 to the above reads: This passage has led to differences of opinion in interpretation. According to the dominant opinion of commentators each individual in the posterity of Adam had a separate existence from the time of Adam, and a Covenant was taken from all of them, which is binding accordingly on each individual. The words in the text refer to the descendants of the Children of Adam, i.e., to all humanity, born or unborn, without any limit of time. Adam's seed carries on the existence of Adam and succeeds to his spiritual heritage. Humanity has been given by Allah certain powers and faculties, whose possession creates on our side special spiritual obligations which we must faithfully discharge: see v. 1. and n. 682.The scholarly commentary # 682 to Surah Maidah (5) (v.), Verse # 1, reads: This line ["O ye who believe, fulfill (all) obligations" of (v. 1.)] has been justly admired for its terseness and comprehensiveness. Obligations: 'uqud: the Arabic word implies so many things that a whole chapter of Commentary can be written on it. First, there are the divine obligations that arise from our spiritual nature and our relation to Allah. He created us and implanted in us the faculty of knowledge and foresight: besides the intuition and reason which He gave us. He made Nature responsive to our needs, and His Signs in Nature are so many lessons to us in our own inner life; He further sent Messengers and Teachers, for the guidance of our conduct in individual, social, and public life. All these gifts create corresponding obligations ['uqud] which we must fulfill. But in our own human and material life we undertake mutual obligations express and implied. We make a promise: we enter into a commercial or social contract; we enter into a contract of marriage: we must faithfully fulfill all obligations in all these relationships.In the higher realm of spirituality there is the seeking of; "The Countenance of Allah", bringing us "Nearer to Allah" and becoming "The Friends of Allah". That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: It is not your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to Us in degree: but only those who believe and work Righteousness these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high! Verse 34: 37Here are the commentaries # 3844-3845-3846 by Yusuf Ali to the above verse: The true test of progress in spiritual life is to be measured by other things than material wealth and influence. What we have to ask ourselves is: are we the least bit nearer to Allah? All worldly good is but a shadow that will pass away. Its intrinsic and eternal value is small. But those who work righteousness in Faith are on the true path of self-development. The reward they will get will be infinitely more than their merits entitle them to. For they will partake of the boundless Bounties of Allah. Their happiness will not only be great in quantity ("multiplied"), but it will be of a specially sublime quality ("dwellings on high"), and it will endure without any chance of its loss or diminution ("secure they reside"). For them will be a Home of Peace in the presence of their Lord: He will be their Friend because they practiced (righteousness). Verse 6 : 127To comprehend "the true path of self-development" one has to identify and be aware of the three progressive stages for the elevation of human souls "Nafs". It is anticipated that those who seek the True Path, have conformed to 21: 92: I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other). Stage 1. Nafs-e Ammara A soul which is prone to Evil. There is a trial and temptation to the soul from the Satan to follow his path - the Evil. There is an opposite force of the Faith, asking the soul to conform to the "Will of Allah" - the Righteousness.Stage 2. Nafs-e Lawwama A self-reproaching soul At this stage the soul is conscious of the Evil. It has with the practice of Faith, developed the strength to shun the Evil.Stage 3. Nafs-e Mutmainna A righteous soul which is contended Leaving each and everything to His Pleasure and seeking His Mercy and Help at each and every stage are the keys.Once one has surrendered one's self to Him, the PEACE is bound to prevail. To reach this higher stage of complete tranquility and contentment in this life, it is recommended to observe the Tahajjud Prayer and practice the Taffakur. Furthermore, in spare moments Thank Him, Glorify Him and Remember Him. And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory! Verse 17 : 79 Let us pray for
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