No one will have the right to intercede on their
behalf without God’s permission. But we know
that the Almighty will listen favorably to His chosen
messengers on behalf of their followers, and this
is why we should not reject any of the Chosen Prophets
or make distinction between one and another of them.
They came to preach the same message of Unity and
brotherhood and this culminated in the sending of
the Last Prophet Muhammad, through whom the clear
teachings of belief and good deeds delivered by
prophets before him have been reaffirmed.
O people of the Book
(Torah, Gospel and all Divinely revealed Scriptures)
There has come to you our Messenger, revealing to
you much that you used to hide in the Scripture,
and forgiving much. Now has come unto you light
from God and a clear Book;
Wherewith God guides all who seek His good pleasure
to ways of peace and safety, and leads them out
of darkness, by His will, unto the light and guides
them unto a straight
path. 16
The ultimate reward is given by God Himself to His
servants, the Garden of eternal bliss wherein a
soul will be able to enjoy everything he or she
wishes for, without diminishment of pleasure; where
the after effects of eating or drinking, of companionship
and love, will only feel better with no ill consequences.
It is a place where everything is exactly as you
would want it, and no one is there to endanger or
threaten your happiness any longer. In comparison
with this world, the Last Prophet gave us a parable:
“By God! What is this world in comparison
to the next world except the parable of someone
who puts his finger in the sea; then let him looks
at what [his finger] returns with.” 17
In comparison, the punishment of the Hereafter is
something one wishes not to contemplate. The endless
disappointment of failing to please God with your
deeds or repentance will only infuriate and lead
to no respite from the endless anguish of the inferno.
The major reason for souls failing to escape such
an end is their negligence in understanding life’s
message, clearly delivered by all the prophets and
messengers of God’s path:
“This world is retreating and the next
world is advancing, and for each of them are children.
So be children of the next world; and not children
of this world. For today there are actions but no
accounting; but tomorrow there will be accounting
but no actions.” 18
Yusuf Islam
Ramadan 1427 AH /
September 2006 AD
 |
16 |
The Holy Qur’an:Al-Ma’idah (The
Table Spread) 5:15-16 |
17 |
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Sahih Muslim |
18 |
Ali ibn Abi Talib |
|
