ELIGIBILITY FOR PARADISE

selecting those individuals who—thanks to their superior qualities— are worthy of being lodged in an ideal place like Paradise. This is what is referred to when the Quran says: He created death and life so that He might test you, and find out which of you is best in conduct. (67: 2) All the things God has created can be broadly divided into two categories; the material world and the human world. The material world means the entire universe known as nature. The material world is totally governed by the divine laws laid down by God. It does not deviate to even the slightest degree from this law. But man’s case is different. In this universe, man enjoys an exceptional position. That is, man has been granted freedom of choice. Man has full freedom to speak and act as he pleases. This finds expression in different verses of the Quran, two of which are given below: “Do they seek a religion other than the religion of God? When everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly or unwillingly? To Him they shall all return.”(3: 83) “If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam [submission to God], it will not be accepted from him; he will be among the losers in the Hereafter.”(3: 85) In the above verses of the Quran, the word Islam, that is, submission, has been used with the implication that while obedience to the Creator is required by the rest of the universe compulsorily, the same obedience is required of man voluntarily. Man has been granted the power of hearing, seeing and thinking, so that by using these faculties, he may discover the right path for himself—what is referred to in the Quran as ‘the straight path’ (sirat-emustaqim). Deviation from the straight path is a proof of the fact that he did not make proper use of the capabilities granted to him by God. Such a man will be held accountable by God. No excuse whatsoever will be accepted by Him. (30: 57) Moreover, an important principle of human life is avoidance of arrogance. In this regard the Quran says: “Do not walk with pride on the earth; for behold, God does not love arrogant and boastful people.” (31: 18) An important principle of human life is avoidance of arrogance. Arrogance is the source of all evil. By contrast, modesty is the greatest source of all good.