The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 124
T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO T HE L IGHT OF T HE HOLY Q U R’AN—NUM BE R T WO 124 their condition, just as both will receive their punishment in Hell, each according to its condition. We consign the factual details of these to God, and we hold the belief that the reward and punish- ment shall be both in physical and spiritual ways. This indeed is the doctrine that is in accord with reason and justice. It is mischievous, wicked, and villainous in the extreme to allege that the Qur’an only promises a physical Paradise. The Qur’an clearly says that whosoever enters Paradise shall receive both kinds of reward, physical and spiritual; and just as one shall receive physical bounty, so shall he receive the pleasure of behold- ing the Divine, and this is the highest pleasure in Paradise. There shall be the pleasure of ma‘ a rif [divine insights] too, and the pleas- ure of anw a r [lights] of all kinds and the pleasure of worship too, but, along with it, the body shall also reach the zenith of its bliss. I can say with full conviction that the Gospel does not describe the details of the spiritual rewards for the dwellers of Paradise to the extent as the Qur’an has done. Anyone who doubts this should come and compete with me and hear them from me and let me hear the teachings of the Gospel from him. And if he prevails and proves that the spiritual reward of the dwellers of Paradise are described in the Gospel better than they are in the Qur’an, then I declare on oath that he shall forthwith be given one thou- sand rupees in cash. He can have the amount secured wherever he wishes after submitting an affidavit. O blind ones! The Gospel is nothing in comparison to the Qur’an. Why do you bring ignominy upon yourselves? Stay at home and relax. Now the time for your humiliation has arrived. Does anyone of you have the courage to come and debate with me calmly and like a gentleman on whether the