of mercy, an abode of happiness, a garden of Paradise, the luminous realm of the All-Merciful One, it dispels man’s terror and fear and shows that the apparently painful, troublesome and unpleasant journey to the Intermediate Realm is in fact the most pleasurable, enjoyable and joyous of journeys. With the grave, it shuts the dragon’s mouth and opens the door onto a beautiful garden; that is, it shows that the grave is not a dragon’s mouth but is, rather, a door opening onto the garden of mercy.

The Qur’an also says to the believer, “Since you have only partial and restricted choice, hand over your affairs to your Owner’s universal will. Since your power is slight, rely on that of the Possessor of Absolute Power. Since your life is brief, think of eternal life. Do not fret! There is an unending life. If your mind is dull, let the sun of the Qur’an shine on you. Look with the light of belief, and instead of the firefly of your own mind, all the Qur’an’s verses will illumine you like stars.

“You have innumerable hopes and pains; know, then, that infinite reward and limitless mercy await you. You have innumerable desires and aims, so do not think of them and become disturbed. This world cannot contain them; the proper place for them is another realm, and the one who will grant them is one other than yourself.”

The Qur’an also says, “O man! You do not own yourself. Indeed, you are totally owned by One Whose power is infinite, an All-Compassionate One of Glory Whose mercy is infinite. Therefore, do not trouble yourself by shouldering the burden of your life, for it is He Who grants you life and administers it.

“Also, the world is not without an owner. So do not be anxious thinking of the state of it and load that burden onto your mind, for the world’s Owner is All-Wise and All-Knowing. You are a guest so do not be officious and meddlesome.

“Furthermore, creatures such as men and animals have not been left to their own devices, rather, they are all officials with specific duties. They are watched over by One All-Wise and Compassionate. Do not distress your spirit thinking of their pains and afflictions. Do not try to be more sympathetic and kind-hearted than their All-Compassionate Creator.

“Also, the reins of all those things that are hostile to you, from microbes to plagues, storms, famine and earthquakes, are in the hands of that All-Compassionate All-Wise Being. He is All-Wise and so does nothing in vain. He is All-Compassionate, His mercy is superabundant. There is a form of grace and favour contained in everything He does.”

The Qur’an also says, “This world is indeed ephemeral, nevertheless, it produces the necessities for an everlasting world. It is transient and fleet-