Heaven and Hell
Ms. Tasneem.
Do we know how Heaven or hell looks like? Well no, one has actually seen it because they are places that will be inhabited after the Day of Judgement. However, the Holy Quran does give us some idea of Heaven and Hell. The Holy Quran says:
“Has the story reached you of the overwhelming event? Some faces (of people that day will be humiliated, labouring hard, weary while they enter the blazing fire of Hell, and at the same time they will be given to drink water from a boiling hot spring with bitter food which will not satisfy their hunger while other faces will be full of joy, pleased with their work, they will be placed in a huge garden where no one will speak words of pride, hate or pain. There will be bubbling springs of water, they will sit on thrones of honour, with glasses at the sides and cushions set in rows and rich carpet all around.
Heaven or Hell is the final destiny of mankind. It is the eternal home. It is the final process and reward of our deeds and action done on earth. Allah will balance and evaluate our good and bad actions. He will be merciful and forgive those who really deserve forgiveness, meaning those who made an honest effort to be good but somehow fell short of being the best example of goodness. Allah says, “Allah multiplies good deeds to whom He please and good deeds wipe out evil deeds.”
Numerous verses in the Holy Quran speak of Heaven as a place of everlasting happiness where sorrow is unknown. Everything will be made available there according to our wishes, it is a place never even imagined by us, place flowing with mailk and honey, gardens with flowers made of pearls and rubies.
Again those who continuously reject Allah, the just reward is the torment of Hell which is such that we cannot imagine its heat. The Holy Quran describes it as a place where the food will be of thorn, drink of boiling water and clothes of fire, so that the skin will be burnt again.
Allah is infinite in His mercy so we must try to please him and gain His mercy. Allah says He has prepared for the believers who humbled themselves in prayer, avoided useless talk, were active in helping others, kept away from immoral action and faithfully did their duties, as their reward a place of abode which no eye has even seen, no ear has ever heard and no mind has ever thought. The pleasure and the so called “fun” we talk of in the world is nothing compared with the heart-warming description of Heaven.
May Allah bless us, forgive us and make us all the companions of Paradise. May Allah guide us to be His deserving representatives, and inherit Paradise and dwell there forever.
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Good Manners
Certain characteristics and unwanted habits weaken the ties of love and sometimes result in breakingup excellent relationships. Hot-tempered individuals who are unable to keep the love of others, erect an indestructible wall between them and society, which prevents them from realizing the light of love. Ill nature, therefore, destroys the basis of happiness and devalues man’s character.
It is indisputable that bad manners keep people away from each other, for man suffers from the treatment of those whom he resents or can not relate to. Thus, bad manners force people to give up many abilities, which could be very useful in the path of their advancement in life had they been well mannered. Good conduct, therefore, is the main basis of happiness between people. It is also an important factor in bettering individual personalities.
In fact, good conduct allows man to make use of his abilities and become effective on the general level of managing society. There is not another characteristic equal to good conduct in attracting the love and affection of others and reducing the pains which may be faced in life.
The Prophet of Islam : The Perfect Exemplar
We all know that one of the most important factors of Islam’s advancement was the perfect conduct of the Prophet (Pbuh). This fact is stated in the Holy Qur’an where Allah, the Almighty says:
“And had you been rough, hard hearted they would certainly have dispersed from around you.” (3:158)
The Prophet of Allah (Pbuh) treated all people equally. His deep and indescribable love for humaity was perfectly manifested in his angelic being. He attended to all Muslims’ needs equally.
“And the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) divided his moments between his companions: he would attend to this and attend to that equally.”
He also condemned ill nature; he repeatedly said: “Ill nature is evil; and the worst of you are those who are ill-natured.”
and “O sons of Abdul Muttalib, surely you will not (be able to) satisfy people with your money, therefore meet them with cheerful faces and joyful conduct.”
Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet’s servant, used to say when he remembered his (the Prophet’s) excellent traits:
“I have served the Prophet (Pbuh) for ten years; during this time he has never said ‘woe’ (as if complaining) to me, regardless of what I did or did not do.”
"I have been sent to perfect good behaviour and politiense." (Mishkat).
"The man with the most perfect faith is one who is the most polite." (Mishkat).
"God has sent me to teach good manners and good deeds." (Jabir)
"Ill-natured habits spoil good deeds as vinegar spoil honey." (Kinzul Amal: Ali)
A rich man who is pious and benevolent is level by his Lord." (Mishkat)
"The best of you is one who is most nice to his wife and childlren and I am the nicest among you." (Ibn Majah)
The Honorable Messenger (Pbuh) said: “The most important traits which will lead my nation to Paradise are fear of Allah and good manners.”
Consequently, it is incumbent upon him whose leader is reason and who desires to lead an honorable life to achieve this priceless spiritual capital, good manners. In order to eradicate an unwanted characteristic, man needs earnest desire to reach his goal. A glance at the disadvantages that bad manners leave provides an incentive to lead him into struggling to eradicate such manners.
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