| Literally, a place of bliss, happiness or delight; heaven. Paradise is not a place but a spiritual state of nearness to God: 'They say: "Where is Paradise, and where is Hell?" Say: "The one is reunion with Me; the other thine own self . . "'1 |
| Bahá'u'lláh in the Tablet to Vafá reveals, 'As to Paradise: It is a reality and there can be no doubt about it, and now in this world it is realized through love of Me and My good-pleasure. Whosoever attaineth unto it God will aid him in this world below, and after death He will enable him to gain admittance into Paradise whose vastness is as that of heaven and earth.'2 |
| 'Abdu'I-Bahá said that earth can be a paradise: 'The Lord of all mankind hath fashioned this human realm to be a Garden of Eden, an earthly paradise. If, as it must, it findeth the way to harmony and peace, to love and mutual trust, it will become a true abode of bliss, a place of manifold blessings and unending delights. Therein shall be revealed the excellence of humankind, therein shall the rays of the Sun of Truth shine forth on every hand.'3 |
| [BD 173] |
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