FROM MAULANA'S DESK

find that trail which, if he follows, can lead him to discover the secret of real solace. According to my experience, people seek the answer to their question within the present world, whereas according to the divine plan the world Hereafter has to be taken into consideration. Only then will you discover the fact that will remove all tension and give you real happiness. The fact is that God Almighty created man as an eternal being and divided his lifespan into two parts: the pre-death period and the post-death period. The pre-death period is the travelling period and the post-death period is when you reach the destination. Death is not an end to this journey. Death only serves as a gateway to the next world. The next world is the world of Paradise. Paradise is the perfect version of the present imperfect world. It is equipped with all those features that are required for enjoying real and lasting happiness. If you accept this explanation of human life, death becomes a positive event for you. Life becomes a continuous journey, from the imperfect world to the perfect world; from the present temporary world to eternal Paradise. Now the question is, how can we find entry into Paradise? The Quran gives the answer in these words: “He will abide forever in the Gardens of eternity, through which rivers flow. That is the recompense for those who purify themselves.” (THE QURAN 20: 76) Self-purification is the key word in this regard. According to this Quranic verse only purified souls will find entry into Paradise. A purified soul means an unpolluted soul. According to a Hadith, every person was born with a divine nature. So, the one who pollutes his original nature will be deprived from entering Paradise, and the one who preserves his soul in its original form will find entry into Paradise. He will be gifted Paradise as an appreciation of his good conduct. This fact is mentioned in the Quran in these words: “He who purifies it will indeed be successful, and he who pollutes it is sure to fail.” (THE QURAN 91: 9-10) If you are travelling by train to a well-known destination, then every station will give you a dose of solace knowing that with every moment you are coming closer to your goal. So is the case of life, if you are on the right path, as described by the Creator, you will only be happy that every day and night you are coming closer to your goal which is none other than eternal Paradise. This thought will give you a tension-free mind and true happiness. o Maulana Wahiddudin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org