QUALIFICATIONS OF THE HEAVENLY BOUNTIES

      This one is an antithesis to the last verse, in which fire was the symbol of punishment, and in this, garden is the symbol of felicity. It promises that: `For those who believe and do good deeds, there awaits gardens of bliss underneath which streams of crystal water flows.

      We know that GARDENS that lack permanent water, will have not fruitful trees, vivid vegetations and lively plants. Therefore the gardens of bliss in PARADISE, have their own source of water and rivers flow underneath the trees therein.

      Pointing to various fruits of the gardens, the verse adds that whenever they are given some fruits therefrom, they say: ``This is similar to what was given to us before.'' The fruit of goodness is goodness. They are similar in shape, but much better in degree of taste, colour, scent and fragrance.

      Another gift of the GARDENS OF BLISS that is promised here is clean spouses. Spouses who are clean spiritually as well as bodily. They live in that abundance and affluence for ever and beyond the realm of time.

CLEAN SPOUSES

      The only qualification that is mentioned here, for the spouses that are in paradise, is their cleanliness. They are said to be free from whatever sullies or defilements, or dirt, and were purified from moral defilements too. From this, we may conclude that the first and most important condition for choosing spouses is their cleanliness, as it is narrated that the apostle said:

      ``Aviod any beautiful green grass that grows in a dunghill?''

      When he was asked what do you mean by that sort of grass? he answered: ``It is the simile of a beautiful woman who grows in a contaminated and corrupt family!''

THE MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL BOUNTIES IN PARADISE.

      Though in so many verses, the material bounties of PARADISE is pointed off; many times, spiritual gifts, too, are mentioned besides. As an instance, we read the following verse:

      ``Allah Has promised the believing men, and the believing women, Gardens underneath which rivers flow. They abide there for ever. He has promised them goodly mansions in the GARDENS OF ETERNITY, and yet the greatest of all that, is; GOD'S GOOD PLEASURE - that is the supreme felicity.''

QURÄN - S 9: 72