Living The Quran
From Issue: 472 [Read full issue]
Al-Tawbah (Repentance)
Chapter 9: Verse 72
Physical Delights
God has promised believing men and believing women gardens through which rivers flow, in which they shall abide forever, and wonderful mansions in the gardens of Eden, as well as greater pleasure and blessings from God. That is the most supreme triumph.
The needs of the body are limited and easy to satisfy provided people can avoid extravagance and self-indulgence. Various talents and endeavours are rewarded in various forms and in different degrees. Some people appreciate what they receive more than they appreciate the giver. From our own experience, we know that the recognition and honour (such as the Nobel Prize, for instance), bestowed upon scientists and achievers mean very little to some unless complemented by substantial financial rewards. However, others direct their gratitude to the giver regardless of the value of what he gives them.
True believers adore God for His own sake and accept whatever He ordains for them, whether good or bad. However, as humans and believers, we need to experience the pleasure of reward, and ought not, therefore, to be so insincere as to claim that we are not seeking the material pleasures of Paradise but only to be with God and to enjoy the glory of His company!
Believers will indeed have the honour and the privilege of seeing God Almighty in person, but they will also enjoy the physical delights of being in Paradise, and there is no contradiction between the two.
Source:
"Thematic Commentary on the Quran" - Muhammad Al-Ghazali, pp. 614, 615