The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 427
17 HEAVEN AND HELL What is the object of religion? It is that having the certainty of faith in the existence and perfect attributes of God Almighty, man should attain release from the passions of self and should develop personal love for God. That is the paradise which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter. To remain unaware of the True God and to keep away from Him and not to have true love for Him is the hell which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter. [Chashma Masīķī, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 20, p. 352] The reality of heaven and hell that has been set forth by the Holy Qur'an has not been set forth by any other book. It has indicated plainly that this system starts in this very life. It is said: وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ جَنَّتْنِ 193 For him who fears to stand before his Lord, there are two Gardens. One Garden is obtained in this very world. The fear of God restrains a person from vice. To run after vice generates a restlessness and distress in the heart which itself is a fearful hell. He who fears God avoids vice and escapes the torment which is generated by the slavery of passion and he makes progress towards faithfulness and 193 Al-Rahman, 55:47 [Publisher] 427