The Teachings of Islam
The Inhabitants of Paradise
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THE INHABITANTS OF PARADISE
Paradise is for those, and those alone, who reject all
material forms of greatness in order to assert the
majesty of Almighty God; who empty their hearts
of every other affection and enshrine God therein.
Paradise is for the just, not the cruel, the humble,
not the haughty. He who mistreats and degrades
others, even when he has grounds for complaint
against them forfeits the right to enter Paradise.
Plotting to destroy others with whom one is on bad
terms and taking delight only in one’s own honour
and esteem can close the gates of Paradise to one
forever. Neither is one fit for Paradise if one’s
feelings of love and attachment are wounded by
criticism of anyone other than God; for Paradise is
the domain of those chaste souls who reserve their
adoration for God alone, who delight in hearing
God’s praise and find solace in the sight of God’s
majesty.
No one who is blind to the truth can enter Paradise,
for Paradise is for those alone who associate
themselves so closely with the truth that they never
