Heaven and Hell — Essence of Islam Vol. 2

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Heaven and Hell, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 17: Heaven and Hell
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: There Will Be Continuous Progress in Heaven | Next: Two Gardens for the Righteous »

427 What is the object of religion? It is that having the certainty of faith in the existence and perfect attributes of God Almighty, man should attain release from the passions of self and should develop personal love for God. That is the paradise which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter. To remain unaware of the True God and to keep away from Him and not to have true love for Him is the hell which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter.
[Chashma Masihi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 20, p. 352]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 427]

The reality of heaven and hell that has been set forth by the Holy Qur’an has not been set forth by any other book. It has indicated plainly that this system starts in this very life. It is said:

وَلِمَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ جَنَّتَانِ

“But for him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Gardens —” (Surah Al-Rahman, 55:47)

For him who fears to stand before his Lord, there are two Gardens. One Garden is obtained in this very world. The fear of God restrains a person from vice. To run after vice generates a restlessness and distress in the heart which itself is a fearful hell. He who fears God avoids vice and escapes the torment which is generated by the slavery of passion and he makes progress towards faithfulness and

leaning towards God whereby he is bestowed a delight and joy and thus his heavenly life begins in this very world. [Malfuzat, vol. III, pp. 155-156]:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشۡرِي نَفۡسَهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ رَءُوفُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ

“And of men there is he who would sell himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Compassionate to His servants.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:208)

That is, of the people there are those of such exalted spiritual station who surrender themselves to the pleasure of Allah. They sell their lives and buy the pleasure of Allah. These are the people who are the recipients of Divine mercy. Similarly, one who has attained the exalted spiritual station sacrifices himself in the path of God. In this verse God Almighty says that it is the one who sells his soul in order to win the pleasure of God who finds deliverance from all suffering. Such a one gives proof by his devotion that he belongs to God and conceives himself to have been created for the obedience of the Creator and the service of His creatures. He performs all good actions that are related to every faculty with such eagerness and sincerity of heart as if he beholds the True Beloved in the mirror of his obedience, his will conforms to the will of God Almighty and all his delight is in obedience to Him and righteous action proceeds from him not by way of labour, but on account of its delight and attraction. The paradise that a spiritual person finds immediately and that which will be bestowed upon him in future are a reflection of this life which will be personified physically in the other world by the power of God.
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 427]

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Introduction