Life Supreme — Page 15
18. LIFE SUPREME "Paradise lies in spiritual progress and not in the satisfaction of physical desires. ". There is no doubt about it that the fruits of paradise can be tasted on this side of the grave. Allah says in the Holy Quran: "But for him who fears and stands before his Lord, there are two gardens. " (55:47). In his interpretation of this verse, the Promised Messiah has explained that it refers to two paradises-one in this world and the other in the world to come. In this world God purifies, comforts, and strengthens the hearts of his devoted servants; and this condition may be described as heaven on earth. Referring to these people in the. Holy Quran, Allah says: "We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter. " (41:32) "For them are glad tidings in the present life and in the Hereafter. " (10:65). The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) is reported to have said that the rewards and blessings of paradise are beyond the imagination of the mind to understand and appreciate. He said: "The blessings of paradise are things which the eye has not seen, the ear has not heard nor has the mind of man conceived. '. This is confirmed by the Holy Quran in the following verse: "And no soul knows what joy of the eye is kept hidden for them as a reward for their good work. " (32:18). The reason is that man has not been given senses with which he can recognise and fully understand the conditions of the next life. . Man's senses can only pick up and interpret the vibrations of this world. Nevertheless he is possessed with the capacity of experiencing a glimmer of heavenly life in this world; and that glimmer is to him something very wonderful. Man cannot imagine the tremendous intensity of the heat of the sun yet he can enjoy its warm rays which in no way compares with the temperature of the sun itself. Similarly the state of paradise experienced in this world is incomparable with the state of paradise in the Hereafter. . The objection may be raised that as the Quran and the Holy. Prophet (peace be on him) have stated that man cannot conceive the