Spirit of Islam, Sep-Oct 2026

O ne summer afternoon in Delhi, the electricity suddenly went off. The fan stopped moving and, within a short while, the room became unbearably hot. There was no movement of air and no immediate prospect of relief. I remained in this condition for quite some time. Then, all of a sudden, the electricity returned. The fan began to move and cool air touched my body. Within moments, the whole situation changed. The same room which had seemed so uncomfortable now became a place of comfort. This simple incident set me thinking. I realized that an ordinary experience can sometimes become a source of extraordinary wisdom. The present world is, in a sense, a world of heat. Here, man has to pass through difficulties, disappointments, losses and unpleasant situations. No one is exempt from such experiences. They are an inseparable part of life. But for a person of faith, these experiences are not meaningless. They are opportunities for patience, remembrance of God and spiritual development. A believer who lives in this world with faith and patience has a great hope before him. Death, for him, is not simply the end of life. It is the moment when the period of trial comes to an end and another world begins. The change may be like the sudden return of electricity after a long period of oppressive heat—a transition from discomfort to unimaginable comfort. A GLIMPSE OF PARADISE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES