We have come into this world to have fun! | Ali Reza Panahian

We have come into this world to have fun!

Why does God take us to Heaven? Why do we go to Heaven when we follow religion? Why does He reward us?
It is interesting that I have tested this in several countries, and with the university and Howzeh (Islamic school) students in Iran. The religious problems of our people are very similar to the religious problems throughout the world. Do you know what this means? It means that those who distorted religion, for example Christianity, have ruined our religion too, and our problems have become similar.
One time seventy new Spanish-speaking Muslims came to Iran from Latin America. They had a compact training course for two weeks. They were educated too. They were either priests, university students, or university graduates who had become Muslims. They were educated people.
They were from several countries, but they had the same language. Their religious motivation was intellectual. I mean they hadn’t become Muslims just because of common feelings. I was talking to them with a translator. I asked them, “Why does God take us to Heaven? Why do we go to Heaven when we follow religion? Why does He reward us?”
I told them, “Please answer. I want your answers one by one.” Each one of them gave an answer. The summery of their answers was that because we endure difficulties and suffering in this world, God rewards us. Then I said, “Do you suffer when you worship God?” They said, “No, we love it.” I said, “If you like it, so you’re enjoying it.” They said, “Yes.” I said, “So, why does God take you to Heaven? Why is he rewarding you?” They couldn’t answer.
The discussion became more detailed. I said, “If someone suffers in his worship, he will become proud and arrogant. Do you agree?” They agreed. “He will put God under obligation. Do you agree?” They agreed. I said, “Only a worship act which you have enjoyed will remain with you. So, you will owe something. Do you agree?” They agreed. I asked, “Why does God take us to Heaven?” They said honestly, “We hadn’t thought about it.”
Then I told them that the Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said that God-fearing people enjoy (their life) more than the Mutrefin. Who are Mutrefin? Rich, self-indulgent people are Mutrefin. In a letter to the people of Basra, Imam Ali (‘a) said that in this world God-fearing people enjoy more than the Mutrefin do.
“Will your mother become happy if you are successful and rich?” “Yes,” they said. I said, “Who becomes happy and brings you sweets if you buy a modern car? Your mother.” God loves us more than our mothers do. When we are prosperous in this world, God rewards us in the Hereafter.
Some people write articles, maybe without a purpose, saying that following religion has become something fun! People go on the ‘Arbaeen’ walk (for Imam Husayn (a)) and have fun! So we shouldn’t have fun?! Are we ascetics to torture ourselves? Obviously, we are having fun. They ridicule us and say following religion has become a fun thing to do! How should we answer this?!
Yes, we followed religion because we wanted to have fun! The Quran says, “If you do good, it shall be for your own souls; but if you do evil it is likewise.” Doing good is to your benefit! They ask why it is to your benefit if you follow religion?! Excuse me! You are blowing the horn from the wide side. Turn it around.
They say that people should have fun. It is not right to go to mourning ceremonies for the Imams (Rowzah) all the time. Some people agree with this. Do the people who go to these ceremonies have a bad time?! Are you suffering right now?
God is like our mother! Our mother gets happy when she makes food and brings it for us to eat and enjoy. Sit at the table, joke and say, “Mom, I won’t eat. I want to thank you. I will die from hunger, but I won’t eat.”
Why has God created His ‘Guardians’ (Uliya) for us? So that we can enjoy looking at them. “Aside from Me (God), aside from meeting Me, which is the most intense pleasure in the world, if you miss Me, look at My ‘Guardian’ and enjoy. Look at My ‘Guardian’ and fall in love with meeting Me. You know how enjoyable it is to go to the shrine of Imam Reza (a). Come into My embrace and see how enjoyable it is!”
Why do we go to Heaven when we follow religion? Why does He reward us? God loves us more than our mothers do. When we are prosperous in this world, God rewards us in the Hereafter.

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