Section Al-Furqan – Part 16

We are continuing with our study of Section Al-Furqan of the Qur’an.  The last few verses that we studied presented the situation of the Hereafter. We investigated the verses by relating them to our living right now on how we need to be careful, connecting our interactions in the universe with the source of our existence, the One presenting Himself through those interactions. We saw how acknowledgment of God in the acts that we do are so important to make them “good deeds” according to the context of the Qur’an. 

Let’s continue with the next verse which touches on another aspect, similar to the beginning of a new paragraph:

أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَيْرٌۭ مُّسْتَقَرًّۭا وَأَحْسَنُ مَقِيلًۭا

25:24 Whereas, on that Day the people of Paradise will be securely settled in the finest palace to rest.

The phrase مَقِيلًۭا” translated as the “resting place” signifies the comfort of the afternoon rest as some cultures practice as siesta or “Qailulah” particularly in geographically warm areas. As it gets too hot in the afternoon, people in those areas work early in the morning and then get tired by noon, they engage in a relaxing rest of “Qailulah”. What does it mean for us? After living in this world, by working and going through difficulties, trying to understand one’s reality, trying to ensure that one’s life is guaranteed to continue, they would like to get rest and live peacefully. For believers, if they understand the purpose of their life, they will want to prepare to go to their eternal place. Those who worked hard fulfilling the purpose of their existence would want to rest in Paradise. This phrase “مَقِيلًۭ” has a very powerful meaning in this context pertaining to our eternal life. The verse continues with the phrase “أَحْسَنُ مَقِيلًۭ” which is translated as “the finest place to rest”. 

Do we feel fear or joy when we hear the news about the Hereafter, the next creation? Why do we get those feelings?

We can feel nervous and worried based on how we are living in this world and realizing the consequences of living in that way.  One may also get the feeling of comfort, hope and relief from the worries of this life to an eternal life, which is good news. The verse mentions Paradise being the finest place to rest. Why does one feel this way? 

The news of Paradise is promising my future existence to be secure there which makes me relaxed. 

When it comes to the accountability of human beings, it may induce a sense of fear upon hearing the news of the Hereafter.  We must bear the sense of fear in terms of accountability but not reflect this sense to the news about the existence of the Hereafter. This sense of fear is good for our consciousness, to be careful while living in this world where we must be aware of what we are doing in this world. In the Hereafter, I would be accountable for what I am doing in this world. However, I should not take the sense of fear with me to the belief in the existence of the Hereafter as it may develop into a sense of escaping from facing the Hereafter which also includes the fear of death. I should not have any fear of death in terms of going into the next creation. It is only through the creation of death that one can go into the next creation. This inevitable death should not be dealt with by the feeling of fear. 

How do I deal with this fear? I must take care of my life in this world with the fear of responsibility and accountability for my life in this world. For example, the mother fears something harmful may happen to the baby. Having this fear doesn’t mean that the mother should not have a baby because she feels that she will be responsible for taking care of her baby. She should have a baby, but she needs to be responsible and pay attention to the security of the baby.

When the news of the Hereafter comes to me, I think of Paradise that I am craving for which can only be the result of the mercy of my Creator. Paradise is not the result of the good that I am doing here. If I don’t do what I am expected to do here, I won’t attract the mercy of God in this world and the next. I need to be concerned with attracting the mercy of God. If I do something and am proud of it, then I am definitely not attracting the mercy of God. The Qur’an explicitly expresses that if I turn to God in whatever I do, I will attract His mercy. There is a verse that states that God’s mercy is much better than what one has been doing here (see Qur’an 10:58). The best way to attract God’s mercy is by asking for forgiveness by admitting our weakness, shortcomings and impotence. I must present my need for forgiveness to my Lord which is the most perfect way to attract the mercy of God. Since Paradise is the result of mercy, I must try to attract the mercy of God in the best way, rather than trusting the good things I have done in this world. I should do good actions by obeying God’s Will, but still I should know that only God’s mercy must be attracted by being humble and asking for forgiveness for our shortcomings.

Let’s examine our lives and see how neglectful we usually are in recognizing the acts of the Creator of the universe. Even when we think we are doing something good, without recognizing His creation, facilitation, presentation, opportunity, we wrongfully would take credit for something, a big neglect from our part. Rather than relying on my good deeds, I must rely on my asking for forgiveness for my shortcomings and thus trust on the mercy of my Creator. I must have hope for Paradise and not fear in the mercy of my Creator. There should be nothing on my way to hinder my hope of Paradise by going through death which is what the news of the Hereafter should convey to me.

For example, when we recite Section Fatiha of the Qur’an and come upon the phrase “Lord of the universe”, many scholars mention that the whole universe is arranged in perfect balance by the Creator of the universe which is correct as God describes Himself as the Lord of the universe. The verse also mentions God introducing His Mercy as being “Ar-Rahman” and “Ar-Raheem”, the Merciful and Infinitely Merciful and Compassionate One. Scholars mention this to be the source of hope as human beings must live with hope and fear from God. How can I have “fear” of God? When I see that everything is provided to me by my Creator, should I fear Him? The response from some people who mention fear of God comes as “Fear not in that sense as fearing from Him but the fear of His punishment”, as the public scholars feel the need to keep this fearing aspect of religion alive. They try to balance and relate between mercy, hope and the day of judgment. The “day of judgment” is agreed upon as the Day when I would be paying my debts. I have been given many things in my life, what have I done with them? Did I utilize them for the purpose they were given for, or did I waste them?

Let’s try to understand this further. God being the Merciful and Infinitely Merciful One, also has the Ownership of the Hereafter with His Mercy.  This tells me that the Owner of the Day of Judgment is Merciful, I should not worry about dying when it is given to me. I just need to follow God’s way on what is expected of me, which is to attract His mercy. I cannot attract His mercy by taking ownership of things, being proud and arrogant, imposing one’s expectations, rebelling against His creation and criticizing it. The Lord of the universe is the Master of the Day of Judgment along with being Merciful.

For example, I am passing by a house that says the host is extremely merciful. If he invites me in, I would happily go to this person’s house without having any fear. That is how it should be when I hear the news of the Hereafter, the Lord of the universe should not induce fear of accountability, but I should have hope in His Mercy. The Mercy of God is not temporary but permanent which is the source of hope and excitement for me. This does not mean that I should take advantage of God being merciful and cheat. The verse in the Qur’an says, “do not cheat yourself with the Mercy of God” (See Qur’an 35:5). At the same time, I cannot go to God and say: “I did my best God, please give me Paradise.” Rather than this, I need to do good actions to fulfill my responsibilities by attracting God’s mercy. Paradise is only granted out of God’s mercy.

To avoid the fear of accountability on the Day of judgment, I must attract God’s mercy while living here, and the best way is through repentance. How can I benefit from the verses of the Qur’an that speak about how God is fearful in His punishment? Can I live with the fear of the Hereafter by trembling here and at same time try to stay calm? Fear should not be extended to the Hereafter and turn into fear of God. I must be hopeful for the mercy of God. This makes me comfortable where I can do my religious duties with pleasure. Under fear, my religious duties become a burden that if I don’t do them then I would be punished. That puts a psychological stress on me where it would be hard to focus while worshiping God.  God’s mercy should make me hopeful when I hear the news of the Hereafter. Eternal life can only be guaranteed by the Merciful One where Infinite Mercy will be manifested.

We must always try to attract the mercy of God in the best way. I must turn to God for my failures: “Oh my Lord, these are my failures. I will try my best continuously.” Let’s take an example where I have two people working for me. One of them speaks proudly, “Hey, I have done my best, okay. You have to pay me now”. The other one says humbly that “I couldn’t do the job as it should be done, I made some mistakes, please forgive me for my mistakes”. Which one would I prefer? The one who will attract my mercy. 

What do we understand from securely settled in the finest place to rest?

My existence, life, all my expectations want to be settled and secured. The news of Paradise fits my human side. There are many things that I am blessed with by God in this world, but I will leave this world. We are so concerned with our worldly life, enjoying the mercy of God thinking that everything will become history. We really should be looking for the Infinite mercy of God which necessitates the creation of the Hereafter. My existence primarily must be secured and that is what I must be desperately in need of. Every human feeling looks to be infinitely satisfied. That all depends on my understanding of Infinite satisfaction. I must try to understand myself in the best way, i.e. through understanding my reality, I understand the capacity of my Creator better. 

For example, someone takes care of the needs of the people in my neighborhood. That is mercy but how about their spiritual needs rather than just bodily needs. They need eternal security in their existence, eternal satisfaction for their feelings. I must help people seeking satisfaction for eternal life. We should understand that God is not only feeding people’s stomachs, but God is the One who fulfills the most essential need of humans to seek the Hereafter, eternal satisfaction.

How do we imagine Paradise? What would we like to have in Paradise?

We all want peace and comfort in this world which is why many relax by taking retreats and taking vacation. Within us is the desire to be securely settled in the finest place to rest and we don’t find that place in this world. I want to live with meaning and not experience meaninglessness, I don’t want to keep aging and losing many things given in this world. I don’t want to deal with annoying people, the injustices committed by people, the egoistic tendencies observed, non-sense behavior and speeches. Where is such a place in this world where I can live in peace and comfort? 

God describes Paradise as a place where they will not hear any empty talk and lies. I would like to have friends around me who always tell me something that I enjoy. The experience would be continuously changing, fresh moments that would be pleasurable. Unlike the changes in this world that become burdensome based on our familiarity, we may not see them as fresh creations. Paradise is described as ever fresh with no boredom. The presence of our beloved ones around us without being irritated but having sweet conversations and enjoyment. Whatever I like, fruits, plants, birds, friendly animals, entertaining companies, etc. The Qur’an gives examples as representatives in the verses mentioning dates, pomegranates, pleasurable residences, and enjoyable spouses.  The names of God are infinite, and each name has infinite degrees of manifestation which is what Paradise represents. I must have the hope for the mercy of God, and I must try to attract His mercy while living here and fulfilling the purpose of my existence.