PARADISE: A UNIVERSAL CONCEPT
In Search of the Ideal World
THE concept of Paradise can be found in all human societies. Paradise is a universal dream of every human being. Every human is born in this world with a concept of a beautiful world that is named Paradise. It would be true to say that man is a Paradise seeking being.
Studies show that a concept of Paradise has always been found in every society and in every culture. In this respect, Paradise is a universal word used in every language with minor differences. The word firdaus in the Quran (18: 107) is also an Arabicized form of the word Paradise. Below are examples of the use of the word in a few languages to show the universal nature of the word.
The concept of Paradise is so ingrained in human nature that one cannot be separated from the other. Finding Paradise is a common dream of all humankind, either consciously or unconsciously. It appears that every man and woman has already seen this beautiful world in the world of their imagination, and that now they want to practically realize this dream. Because of this human desire there are now several different models of Paradise, and everyone is busy in seeking the model of Paradise they have visualized.
Among these models, the criterion that is used to ascertain the natural and understandable model of Paradise is the same that is applied to such matters in science, that is, the principle of corroboration. This means in order to validate a theory it must be analyzed with respect to all related observations and events. If the theory corroborates with all the related aspects, then it can be held as valid. On the other hand, if even a single aspect or event is not in accordance, it must stand rejected.
One such model can be termed as civilizational model of Paradise. Thanks to the progress of civilization, many new kinds of industrial and technological developments are now at man’s disposal. It soon came to be regarded that there was no need to wait for another world; Paradise could be created by man in this world itself.
Man believed that he was now in a position to build a Paradise for himself. But soon this dream was shattered. The end of the 20th century showed that while the industry for building a Paradise on Earth had reached its final stage, it brought a new kind of Hell into existence.
This Hell was in the form of pollution caused by green-house gases.
The Earth’s atmosphere was polluted from the industrial emissions of harmful gases leading to global-warming and making the survival of human race impossible.
This experience showed that to bring a Paradise into existence, pollution-free industry was required which is not humanly possible on Earth. The Paradise envisioned could not be brought into existence and the concept of civilizational Paradise met with total failure.
Wishful Thinking or Ostrich Paradise There is another popular concept of Paradise which can be called Ostrich Paradise in a metaphorical language. Those who believe in this concept will declare that Paradise is ‘right here, right now’ whenever they hear of it. Their life is based on the concept―work hard, party harder. Since nobody knows what is going to happen in the future, grab whatever you can right now.
The end of the 20th century showed that while the industry for building a Paradise on Earth had reached its final stage, it brought a new kind of Hell into existence. This Hell was in the form of pollution caused by greenhouse gases.
To examine the veracity of this concept we will have to study it based on the results. Looking at it from this point of view, we find that it is just not feasible. Even those who speak such fancy words have failed to find any positive results from this idea. It appears that this concept has only caused negative consequences for those who believe in it.
Such people quickly acquire wealth, but they waste it in pursuing a lavish lifestyle and rich food habits resulting in poor health and disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. To make more money they work harder and to manage their stress from overwork they go on holidays. But when they return from the holiday, they find they have another problem―holiday stress.
They squander their wealth acquiring commodities, but indulgence in their possessions only deprives them of higher thinking. They spend their money on love-affairs which only has the opposite effect of creating hatred. Eventually, such people remain disillusioned and deprived of the joys of family life.
Even if we suppose that one such person saves himself from all the negative consequences of this concept, it is inevitable that before reaching the age of a hundred, he grows old and weak, and is confined to his bed. Then with no option left, he must get admission to a hospital and leaving everything behind, depart from this world one day.
One such example appeared in the news reports of January 12, 2008. Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, was a very strong person. He was the first climber to reach the peak of Mount Everest. When he set foot on the summit of the highest mountain of the world, news of his achievement broke in headlines in the newspapers. He was called the ‘conqueror of Everest’. Setting foot on top of Everest he exclaimed with pride, “To my great delight, I realized we were on top of Mount Everest and the whole world spread out below us.” (Times of India, January 12, 2008)
The present world is like a selection ground. Here man is placed under various circumstances to be judged according to his deeds to determine if he would qualify for the ideal world of Paradise.
But when he died at the age of eighty-eight on January 11, 2008, he was lying on a hospital bed, weak and infirm. He was left with no option but to accept the verdict of death and leave all his possessions and all his desires to enter a world for which it appeared he had nothing with him.
Quranic Model
Now, let us take the Quranic model of Paradise. The Quranic model is
based on the creation plan of God. According to the Quran, the creation
plan of God and Paradise are associated with one another. Hence, to
understand Paradise as explained in the Quran, it is necessary to do so
in the light of the creation plan of the Creator of the universe.
The Quran is the book of God. It has been fully preserved in its original form. According to the Quran, God created human beings and settled them on Earth. This settlement was for the purpose of a test, not as a reward. That is, the settlement was meant to be a temporary abode in this world so that man may prove himself worthy of Paradise. After death, judged by his deeds on Earth, he would be granted an abode in Paradise.
In this respect, the present world is like a selection ground. Here man is placed under various circumstances to be judged according to his deeds to determine if he would qualify for the ideal world of Paradise.
Those who succeed in this test will be selected and granted admission into the eternal world of Paradise, while those who fail in the test will be sent to the eternal trash can of the universe, i.e. Hell.
According to the Quran, Paradise would be eternal as well as ideal. Here it would be possible that man may live free of all fear and sorrow. This world of Paradise would have no limitations or disadvantages. Man would find everything he desires.
In Paradise, all desires would be fulfilled to complete satisfaction and in an ideal manner. Though all the good things of Paradise are available in the present world, this world in itself is an imperfect world. Paradise, on the other hand will be a perfect world in every respect. There will be no pollution of any kind. It will be free from all kinds of negative things. The present world is an imperfect world while Paradise will be perfect. Existence of an imperfect version is a proof in itself that a perfect version of this world can also come into existence. This is the Quranic model of Paradise. This model without doubt is fully consistent with the demands of nature as it corroborates with all related observations and experiences.
In the Quranic model of Paradise, man will have the opportunity to live in the ‘neighbourhood of God’ where there will be an abundance of supreme goodness and bliss.
An important feature of this Quranic model of Paradise is that man will live with full consciousness at his highest level of intellectual development. This Paradise will not be realized at any level lower than the conscious nor will it be limited in any way.
The Quranic model of Paradise will not be a mysterious place; it will be a place very much like this present world. The Quran says about the righteous: “He will admit them into the Garden He has already made known to them.” (47: 6) It has been clearly outlined in the Quran that all the good things of this world will also be available in Paradise in their most excellent form. Similarly, the inhabitants of Paradise will have every opportunity for all kinds of activities that will be fulfilling from their beginning to their end. There would neither be any boredom nor any tiredness. In this world, man’s power to enjoy something is constrained. The people of Paradise will have the capacity of unlimited enjoyment. More than anything else, in the Quranic model of Paradise, man will have the opportunity to live in the ‘neighbourhood of God’ where there will be an abundance of supreme goodness and bliss.