ON THE THRESHOLD OF PARADISE

call under-development. After this came another evolutionary phase in the wake of the industrial revolution—a period of development. Now according to the evolutionary law itself, the earth is heading towards a superior stage. This will be the last evolutionary stage of the earth which we can call the perfect world. In this ideal world, all types of limitations will come to an end. By Divine arrangement, justice will prevail in its most perfect form. The wicked will be removed from the earth and only the virtuous will gain entry into this ideal world, where there will be no pollution of any sort. Calamities will cease to occur and all disadvantages such as disease, accidents, old age and death will be eradicated forever. In the present world, all tasks are performed by hard work: indeed, hardship and success are inseparable. Such a state of affairs will no longer prevail in Paradise for such refined changes will take place that each activity will be an enjoyable one. As it is said in the Quran: “Truly, the dwellers of Paradise that day (the Day of Resurrection) will be busy in joyful activities.” (36: 55) With the coming of the industrial revolution and the age of consumerism, man actually thought that he could build a Paradise on earth, that the industrial age would culminate into the perfect world that he longs for. The superficiality of the notion that man could make a Paradise on earth was savagely dashed with the coming of pollution, acid rain and global warming. And now the Covid-19 pandemic has made man realize to the last extent that he cannot build a Paradise on earth. Today we have realized to the last extent that the Paradise on earth that man has been seeking for thousands of years in response to his urges, cannot be built on earth. It will 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 for the achievement of all desired goals. Man must realize that he stands on the threshold of Paradise. The present earth is a Paradise-in-the-making, not Paradise. The question is how can man achieve the Paradise of his dreams? To find an answer to this question one must become aware of the Creation Plan of God.