Welcome to this week's episode of the series "Let's Know Islam". Today, we continue to discuss heavenly blessings.

If we pay a glance at the divine blessings which have been bestowed on mankind in this world, we realize that all of these blessings are not usable for all individuals in all moments of life, given that plagues such as illness, advanced age, and poverty obstruct the complete usage of these blessings by mankind. Meanwhile, in paradise, there is no ailment, suffering, advanced age, and deprivation, and nothing obstructs mankind from benefiting from heavenly blessings. There is no limitation in paradise.

Heavenly blessings are abundant, joyous, and perfect. The inhabitants of paradise constantly experience happiness and material and spiritual joys. The 35^th ayah of Surat Qaf in Holy Quran refers to the inhabitants of paradise, noting: "There they will have whatever they wish, and with Us there is yet more."

Now, let's discuss the spiritual joys of paradise. As it was previously explained, the material joys in paradise have been mentioned in Holy Quran. Beautiful orchards, creeks, castles, chaste spouses, merited companions, colorful fruits, and tasty foods are the manifestations of diversity of heavenly blessings. Meanwhile, these do not reflect all aspects of heavenly blessings. Holy Quran has also mentioned the spiritual blessings and joys of paradise.

It should not be forgotten that the main goal of all faithful individuals is to please God Almighty. The 72^nd ayah of Surat Tawbah in Holy Quran notes: "Allah has promised the faithful, men and women, gardens with streams running in them, to remain in them forever, and good dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. Yet Allah's pleasure is greater than all these; that is the great success."

This ayah has mentioned the material and spiritual aspects of heavenly blessings. The fact that pleasing God has been considered greater than all material blessings of paradise, clearly shows the valuable nature of such a reward.

Hence, the spiritual joy that one experiences as the result of pleasing the one and only creator of the world, God Almighty, cannot be put in words.

The 7^th ayah of Surat al-Bayyinah in Holy Quran notes: "Indeed those who have faith and do righteous deeds – it is they who are the best of creatures." The next ayah mentions the material and spiritual rewards of the faithful, stating: "Their reward, near their Lord, is the Gardens of Eden, with streams running in them, to remain in them forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for those who fear their Lord."

We complete our discussion about paradise with an example of the remarks of the inhabitants of paradise, which includes valuable points. The 50^th to 61^st ayahs of Surat al-Saffat in Holy Quran note: "Some of them will turn to others, questioning each other. One of them will say, 'Indeed I had a companion who used to say, "Are you really among those who affirm that when we are dead and have become dust and bones, we shall indeed be brought to retribution?" 'He will say, 'Will you have a look?' Then he will take a look and sight him in the middle of hell. He will say, 'By Allah, you had almost ruined me! And had it not been for my Lord's blessing, I too would have been among the arraigned!' 'Is it true that we shall not die anymore, aside from our first death, and that we shall not be punished? This is indeed the great success! Let all the workers work for the like of this!'

This was the last episode of the series "Let's Know Islam". This series aimed to introduce the ideological principles and foundations of the divine religion of Islam, in simple language. Thanks for tuning in today. God bless and take care.

MR/ME