On The Threshold of Paradise

repeat it. This is a promise binding on Us. Truly, We shall fulfil it.” (21:104) Today, a man stands on the threshold of Paradise. Paradise is the final period of the journey of civilization. Paradise will only be found in a state of perfection in the world Hereafter. There, man will find a life of joy, peace and happiness forever. There will be no necessity for physical labour; pleasant intellectual activities will suffice to achieve all desired goals. Therein, all types of limitations and disadvantages will be brought to an end: there will be no fear or grief, nor will there be any noise or pain. All those potentialities that have been apparent to man from the very first day will be fulfilled in the world of paradise. In Paradise, man will find an eternal life in which old age, accidents, disease and death are absent. This will be the ideal world where man will be able to utilize the full potential of his personality, thus experiencing complete fulfilment. Human history has a beginning as well as an end. The end of human history will be followed by another world—a flawless one in the fullest sense. This world will be inhabited by the selected people from all over human history. In a similar vein, the Quran tells us that: “My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.” (21:105) Man must realize that he stands on the threshold of Paradise. The question is, how can man achieve the Paradise of his dreams? In the present world of trial, any man or woman, to be eligible for Paradise, needs to have two qualifications: one is to