All the information included in this discussion is derived from the
Quran,
the book that God describes as the BEST HADITH, 39:23. The book that God
calls complete, perfect and fully detailed.
"God has revealed
herein the BEST
HADITH; a book that is consistent
and
points out both ways (to heaven and hell). The skins of those who reverence
their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up
for
God's message. Such is God's guidance; he bestows it upon whomever He wills.As
for those sent astray by God, nothing can guide them." 39:23
"In their history,
there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This
is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures,
provides the DETAILS of
EVERYTHING, and is a beacon and
mercy for those who BELIEVE." 12:111
Theses topics were taken from the appendix of the translation of the Quran
by Dr. Rashad Khalifa. As Dr. Khalifa always taught, if you cannot verify
the information from the Quran you should not accept it. You will find out
that every point of discussion in these topics is supported by the Quranic
verses.
We encourage the reader to check these verses him/herself. God
told us in the Quran to verify everything ourselves. See 17:36
[17:36] You shall not accept any information,
unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the
eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.
Heaven and Hell
The descriptions of Heaven and Hell throughout the Quran are allegorical.
And the Quran tells us so whenever such descriptions occur as independent
statements, not within a general subject. See 2:24-26, 13:35, and 47:15.
The word "Mathal" (allegory) is used in these verses. Linguistically, the
word "Mathal" in these verses can be removed, and we still have perfect
sentences. But it is there because the descriptions of Heaven and Hell are
allegorical.
What Heaven and Hell are really like is far beyond our comprehension.
Hence the need for allegory.
How can one describe, for example, the taste of chocolate to a person
who never tasted chocolate? Allegory will have to be used. The person
has to wait to actually taste chocolate in order to know what chocolate tastes
like. Whatever allegory we use to describe the taste of chocolate can never
approximate the real thing.
Heaven already exists, since Adam and Eve were placed in it during
their days of innocence (2:35). We learn from Sura 55 that there are
two "High Heavens" - one for the humans and one for the jinns - and
two "Lower Heavens" - one for the humans and one for the jinns (see
Appendix 11 for more details).
Hell is not created yet. It will be created on the Day of Judgment
(69:17 & 89:23). More details are given in Appendix 11.
The High Heaven vs. The Lower Heaven
There are profound differences between the High Heaven and the Lower Heaven.
Allegorically, water in the High Heaven flows freely (55:50), while the water
of the Lower Heaven needs to be pumped out (55:66).
Allegorically, the High Heaven has all kinds of fruit (55:52), while the
Lower Heaven has a limited variety of fruits (55:68).
Allegorically, the pure spouses readily join their spouses in the High Heaven
(55:56), while the dwellers of the Lower Heaven must go fetch their spouses
(55:72).
Yet, even the Lower Heaven is an incredibly fantastic prize for those who
are fortunate enough to escape Hell and end up in the Lower Heaven (3:185)
- going to the Lower Heaven is a great triumph. People who depart this life
before reaching their 40th birthday, and did not sufficiently develop their
souls, will go to the Lower Heaven (46:15, Appendices 11 & 32). The High
Heaven is reserved for those who believed, led a righteous life, and developed
their souls sufficiently.
"Whoever succeeds in barely missing Hell, and is admitted into Heaven, has
attained a great triumph." [3:185]
Death
Death is a great mystery to most people. Not so for the students of the Quran.
We learn that death is exactly like sleeping; complete with dreams (6:60,
40:46). The period between death and resurrection passes like one night of
sleep (2:259; 6:60; 10:45; 16:21; 18:11, 19, 25; 30:55).
At the moment of death, everyone knows his or her destiny; Heaven or Hell.
For the disbelievers, death is a horrible event; the angels beat them on
the faces and rear ends as they snatch away their souls (8:50, 47:27, 79:1).
Consistently, the Quran talks about two deaths, the first death took place
when we failed to make a stand with God's absolute authority (Appendix 7).
That first death lasted until we were born into this world. The second death
terminates our life in this world (2:28, 22:66, 40:11).
Note: The following is a reproduction of the lead article from the February,
1990 issue of the Submitters Perspective, the monthly bulletin of United
Submitters International. This was the second to last issue that was written
by Dr. Khalifa. It was completed and mailed ahead of time, in December, 1989.
Dr. Khalifa was martyred on January 31, 1990 and his soul was taken directly
to Paradise.
The Righteous Do Not Really Die They Go Straight to Heaven
Give good news to those who believe and work righteousness that they will
have gardens with flowing streams. When provided with provisions of fruits
therein, they will say, "This is what was given to us in the past." They
will be given similar provisions, and they will have pure spouses therein.
They abide therein forever. (2:25)
Do not think that those who are killed in the cause of God are dead; they
are alive at their Lord, being provided for. (3:169)
Do NOT say about those who are killed in the cause of God, "They are dead."
For they are alive, but you do not perceive. (2:154)
O you who believe, you shall respond to God and the messenger when he invites
to what keeps you alive. (8:24)
Those who emigrate in the cause of God, then get killed or die, God will
surely provide for them a good provision. (22:58)
They do not taste death, beyond the first death, and God spares them the
retribution of Hell. (44:56)
He was told, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people (on earth) know;
that my Lord has forgiven me and honored me." (36:26-27)
The wages of sin is death [Romans 6:23]
As stated in 3:81 and 46:9, God's Messenger of the Covenant does not bring
anything new; everything I receive and pass on to you is already in the Quran.
However, the Quran is full of information that is kept by Almighty God for
revelation at a specific time. Now is the time to look at the verses shown
above and learn the great news: THE RIGHTEOUS DO NOT DIE; when their lives
on this earth come to the predetermined end, the angel of death simply invites
them to leave their earthly bodies and move on to Heaven, the same Paradise
where Adam and Eve once lived. Heaven has been in existence since Adam and
Eve. We learn from 89:27-30 that God invites the believers' souls: "Enter
My Paradise."
THE DISBELIEVERS
As for the disbelievers, they know at the moment of death that they are destined
for Hell. The angels beat them up on the faces and rear ends (8:50 &
47:27), order them to evict their souls (6:93), then "snatch their souls"
(79:1). The Quran teaches that the disbelievers go through 2 deaths (2:28
& 40:11). They will be put to death - a state of nothingness during which
they see Hell day and night in a continuous nightmare that lasts until the
Day of Judgment (40:46). Hell is not yet in existence (40:46, 89:23).
Of Course, the Righteous Depart
As far as people are concerned, the righteous "die." People do not realize
that the righteous simply leave their bodies, and move on to Paradise. The
verses shown above are self explanatory. They tell us that the righteous
die only once - the one death we have already experienced as a consequence
of the great feud (38:69). In 36:26-27, we see the best evidence that the
righteous go to Paradise, while their friends and relatives are still living
on earth. Like going to Hawaii and waiting for us there. See also 16:32 &
6:60-62.
Please see Appendix 5 and
Appendix 17
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