passage which speaks on this point. It is so well known that it is unnecessary to insist on it further. We have the words of the believing Egyptian urging his fellow-countrymen to repent and turn to the true faith. 'Whoso shall have wrought evil shall not be recompensed but with its like; but whoso shall have done the things that are right, whether male or female, and is a believer — these shall enter paradise . . . ' ¹

This entrance into paradise is spoken of in the Qur'an as being in itself the great ' Felicity', or the great ' Salvation'. (The word in the original is one and the same.) 'They who believe and fear God — for them are good tidings in this life, and in the next. There is no change in the words of God. This, the great felicity.' ² In many passages the Qur'an speaks of the joys and pleasures which the believer shall partake of in Paradise, in sensuous figures, some of which scarcely permit of quotation.

We do not intend here to enter into the thorny question of the interpretation of such passages. The point that we desire to notice is that escape from the torments of hell and entrance into paradise are defined in the Qur'an as the great Felicity, the great Salvation, which God has prepared for believers.

All who have believed and have wrought righteousness may not only hope to enter paradise, but may look forward with confidence to having all their desires satisfied. 'But he who bringeth the truth, and he who

believeth it to be the truth: these are the God-fearing; whatsoever they shall desire, awaiteth them with their Lord! this is the recompense of the righteous that God may do away the guilt of their worst actions, and for their best actions render them their reward.' ¹ We find the same idea: 'And there are grades for all, according to their works; that (God) may repay them for their works, and they shall not be unjustly treated.' ²

The joys and blessings of paradise though a reward are yet a gift from God. Thus we read: 'We are your friends in this life and in the next; therein shall ye have that which your souls shall desire, and therein shall ye obtain whatever ye shall ask for, the hospitality of a gracious and merciful One.' ³

The reward of paradise, then shall be 'with (or, in the presence of) their Lord'. What exactly Muhammad intended to convey by these words it is difficult to say. The words may mean simply that all the joys and pleasures of paradise proceed from God as their source and giver; but it may be that he intended to teach the truth that there could be no pleasure in paradise apart from the presence of God, and the conscious knowledge of His favour.

We find the following description of the state of the blessed; 'God promiseth to the faithful, both men and women, gardens, 'neath which the rivers flow, wherein they shall abide; and goodly mansions in the gardens of Eden; but best of all will be God's good pleasure in them.' ⁴ Thus, the greatest blessing will be the conscious