moment. The splendour of the stars at night and the incomparable
beauty, colour and design of a rose are two examples that everyone
can see and appreciate every day.
As we stated earlier, the longing that believers feel for the
Garden causes them to change their surroundings into places that re-
mind them of the Garden. Certainly, the Garden is a place that is a
work of art greater than anyone can imagine, with perfect sights and
beauties that no one on earth could conceive. But a Muslim who lives
according to the teachings of the Qur'an will use all the means at his
disposal to beautify his surroundings. We learn from the Qur'an that
Sulayman's courtyard was paved with glass (Surat an-Naml: 44) and
his house was decorated with high arches and statues, huge dishes
like cisterns and great built-in cooking vats. (Surah Saba': 13) In the
Qur'an, Allah also says that the family of Ibrahim (as) were given an
immense kingdom (Surat an-Nisa': 54).
With the high position, and sometimes great possessions and
power that they had been given, Allah's messengers used all their
blessings as Allah directed and according to His will. For this reason,
they are praised in the Qur'an. Believers take all prophets as exam-
ples and take care—as the Awliya (closer friends of Allah) also
do—to use every blessing that comes to them to please Allah.
Harun Yahya
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