The Citizens
of Paradise
It is only Allah whose discretion holds supreme in
this world. No one else's discretion has in reality even a trace of authority.
However, for the sake of trial, Allah has sanctioned freedom to man, who has been
given considerable liberty in an otherwise completely enslaved existence, to see how he
uses it: does he opt for the realistic choice of submitting to Allah's - the real
Master's - will or does he get carried away by the thrills of his undeserving
liberty and, as a consequnce, resort to a rebellious attitude.
Allah has prepared the paradise for those who despite
possessing many options choose to remain optionless; those who volunteer to fear Allah
even on occasions when fear is not seemingly warranted; those who, despite wielding full
authority, surrender all their authority to Allah.
When such people are provided with sustenance through
the medium of some apparent material source, they acknowledge that it is in fact Allah Who
has arranged it for them. They have the liberty to be unfair to others, but they check the
sinful inclinations of their liberty for fear of Allah. Opportunities of demonstrating
anger, hatred, and revenge come their way, but they choose to exercise restraint on
occasions of anger and offer forgiveness on occasions of hatred and revenge. Allah allows
them to be praised lavishly by others, but they find solace in remaining humble. Allah
makes them wealthy, but instead of spending their wealth to satisfy their vain desires,
they find it more satisfying to spend their wealth in His way. They follow the way of
Allah instead of following the way of their own whims; instead of living for their own
sake, they live for the sake of Allah.
The serene world of Paradise is indeed for such
people. They make themselves subservient to Allah with their own free will; they choose to
remain constrained within the divinely ordained restrictions, despite enjoying the freedom
to remain unrestricted.
(Adapted from Wahiduddin Khan's
works)
© Copyright December 1998. All Rights
Reserved with the Author