A Flower of Paradise

T

he true believer is a flower of paradise. His fragrance is manifested in the form of divine characteristics in this life, which will be transformed into tangible blessings in the hereafter. Heaven is another name for these blessings.

The believer is one who is so involved in the hereafter that he becomes indifferent to the world. He puts up with any sufferings that others may cause him. He is so conscious of his own failures that he does not mind being criticized. If others humiliate him, he forgives them for God’s sake. His heart has been purified by true devotion to God, so he forgives and forgets others’ excesses. He is so free of malice that he prays for those who wrong him.

God is pleased with such souls and will admit them into paradise. Paradise is a refined world which only refined souls can enter. Those who lead negative lives and act in a spiteful manner are not worthy to dwell in it.

People think that they are bound for heaven, but they are far adrift from that destination.