Approaching the West — Page 122
A pproaching the West—122 might have enjoyed sinful pleasures of this material world, may go through a grievous torment in life yet to come in what is known as the Hell. It all depends on how we carry out ourselves under given circumstances in this life. Isl ā m acknowledges that life is full of suffering, starting as early as the very process of human conception in a mother’s womb and during the process of childbirth. In the Holy Qur’ ā n, we read, And We [that is, GOD] have enjoined on man to be good to his parents—his mother bears him in suffering after suffering of weakness… (31:15) Again, we read, There has, certainly, come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing worth mentioning. We created man from a mingled sperm-drop which We cause to pass through trials; then We might try him; so We made him hearing, seeing. We have shown him the way [giving him full freedom of choice], whether he be grateful or ungrateful. (76:2-4) Again, we read in the Holy Qur’ ā n: And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother bears him with pain, and brings him forth with pain [of childbirth]. . . (46:16) Not only both the mother and the new born baby have to go through a tremendous painful suffering in the process of