The Sunday Guardian | July 28, 2024

The present universe has two parts to it, the human and the non-human. On reflection we realize that the non-human world is being externally managed, whereas the human world is self-managed. Now history is advancing towards a super-developed world (Paradise) where, according to the record of the past, undesirable human beings will be set aside from the desirable ones who will be given the opportunity to lead their lives in eternal peace in an ideal world called Paradise. This is the event which is thus referred to in the Bible: “The righteous will inherit the land, and dwell in it permanently.” (Psalms 37.29)

The same reality has been expressed thus in the Quran: “We have already written in the Psalms following the Reminder, ‘My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.’” (21:105)

In the course of human history, this world will become a society of select individuals who are cognizant of the influence of the past upon the present world. Here, selected individuals will be given an opportunity to engage in a high level of intellectual activity. This superior society is referred to thus in the Quran:

“Whoever obeys God and the Messenger will be among those He has blessed: the Messenger, the truthful, the witnesses and the righteous. What excellent companions these are!” (4:69)

That is, these people of Paradise will be in the company of those whom God has rewarded, that is, the prophets, the truthful, the witnesses, and the righteous. In the Quran, this next phase of life is called Paradise.

Source: Discovering the Quran