Islam: The Voice of Human Nature

~ 36 ~ system will last only as long as this trial proceeds, and when it has finally run its course, the Lord of the universe will bring the affairs of this planet under his direct control as He has done with the rest of the universe? (19:40). ‘Then the good will be separated from the evil.’ (3:179). The good will then enjoy eternal life in heaven, and the evil will be condemned to everlasting hell. In other words, this world is a domain where citizens of the next world of God are in the process of being selected. Only those who, notwithstanding the freedom granted to them, lead their lives in obedience to God and willingly allow His will to prevail in their lives, will be given the right by God to become the citizens of the next world. All manner of men inhabit the earth during this period of probation, but at the end of it, only the righteous will inherit God’s beautiful earth (21:105): the rest will be ejected from it as aliens. THE QUR’AN AND THE UNIVERSE What are the virtues one needs to have in order to become a citizen of the next world – of