It is (vouchsafed) unto thee that thou shalt not hunger therein, (in
Jannah), nor shalt thou be naked; and thou shalt not thirst therein nor
be exposed to the sun’s heat (20:118-119).
Above all things, the body needs food, clothes and shelter. When
these are provided the mind can pursue higher goals. However, it is not
only these things that will be provided but also others which, though
not necessary, yet add to the charm of life and, therefore, are desired:
They shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and
their garments therein shall be silk (22:23). Dishes of gold and bowls
shall be carried round to them (43:71). Also fruits in abundance
(43:73). Upon them shall be robes of fine green silk and of brocade
(76:21). And flesh of fowls that they desire (56:21).
No doubt, the language is metaphorical but precisely because it is
metaphorical it serves a dual purpose. With reference to this life, the
words used above denote concrete material objects which are
desirable and were passionately desired by the Arabs. With
reference to the Hereafter, the same words symbolise the joys of a
higher level of existence. It should be noted that the Arabs, by
following the teaching of the Qur'an, actually acquired an
abundance of all the objects promised in this life, as well as in the
next. They are exhorted to enjoy the good things in this world while
feeling grateful to God. Enjoyment of life is not an obstacle to the
attainment of the higher purpose before man, if he is not immersed
in pleasure and his self remains free and detached. The early
Muslims fulfilled this condition and their selves remained free in the
midst of the wealth that conquest brought to them. Within a few
years, the Arabs found themselves in possession of jewelled
bangles, utensils of gold and silver, silken robes, cushioned divans,
cups of exquisite beauty, the fertile fields and fruit gardens of Syria,
Iraq and Egypt, rivers and hillsides covered with forest. No wonder
if they felt that paradise had come down to earth: but the joys of this
life only whetted their desire for the ineffable joy of the Jannah that
awaited them. In the midst of these luxuries they enjoyed that peace
of mind which no emperor or conqueror had experienced. It was
because the enjoyment of all these good things did not deflect them
from the path of self-development and because the interests of the
real self continued to be of paramount importance to them, that
wealth made them not proud and arrogant but humble and grateful
to God:
And they shall say: Thanks to Allah Who hath put grief away from us
The Rububiyyah Order 192