Life Supreme — Page 14
LIFE SUPREME 17 2. PARADISE ON EARTH. An Ahmadi is very fortunate in as much as he has recognised and accepted the Promised Messiah. This is indeed a priceless blessing and the person who does not take full advantage of it denies himself true happiness because Ahmadiyyat or True Islam leads one to that blessed state-Paradise on Earth. . The purpose of this treatise is to emphasize that Islam is a religion which can bring permanent happiness to the heart and soul of a personin spite of being frequently afflicted with suffering of one kind or another, hardships, disappointments and other kinds of inconveniences. In other words it is through Islam that one can experience paradise and live on earth. This is no idle dream. It is the truth and if one wishes to dwell in paradise while living in this world then Islam guides the way and provides the opportunity for one to enjoy this heavenly experience. Is it not something that we should eagerly desire to attain? The Promised Messiah has written: "Our paradise is our God. Our highest delights are in our God. We have seen Him and found in Him loveliness of every kind. This treasure is worth having even if it is at the cost of one's life. This jewel is worth purchasing even if the price is one's whole self. . Everyone wants to be happy; but everyone's idea of happiness is not the same. Often a person thinks that he would find happiness through the fulfillment of some particular desire or cherished goal. It might be getting married, the appointment to a certain position, making plenty of money, the birth of a child or a thousand other wishes. . Islam teaches that the source of true and lasting happiness is knowledge and love of God. While the lawful pleasures of the world are in no way despised or condemned, they can in no way fill the heart with that heavenly bliss which results from deep attachment to. God and from the cultivation of pure and noble habits. In our search for heaven on earth, the Promised Messiah has said: "Real and true happiness lies in the recognition of God. . Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II has also said: 32