Fractures That Only Paradise Can Mend

Peace be upon you, my dear friend.

I know that no words of consolation can mend even a single fracture in the heart. So how could they mend a heart filled with fractures, as though it were a sieve?

Through every opening, a loved one slipped away.

You seem destined to lose those you love. Perhaps next time, when you love someone, try not to love them—perhaps then they will stay.

There are moments when every word of condolence feels cold, and every word of comfort feels empty.

When Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) passed away, the world became constricted for the Prophet ﷺ. Because Allah knew the pain of a man losing the woman he loved, He took him on the Night Journey and Ascension, taking him up to the heavens to console him. Sometimes, the whole world is not enough to bring comfort.

My dear friend, the Prophet ﷺ would console his companions with Paradise.

When the companions admired garments of silk, he said:

"The handkerchiefs of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh in Paradise are better than these."

When Ja'far's two arms were severed in the Battle of Mu'tah, the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Allah replaced them with two wings by which he flies in Paradise."

When someone lost a young child, he would console them by telling them that the child was in Paradise, in the care of Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) and Sarah.

So let Paradise be your consolation, my dear friend.

For Paradise is the success that makes every previous loss seem insignificant.

And Hellfire is the loss that makes every previous victory seem insignificant.

If you lose your battle in this world, then roll up your sleeves, for in Paradise is a consolation that will mend every fracture in your heart.

In Paradise, loved ones do not leave. Your beloved are with you, yours, and beside you. You will never again have to fight with every part of your being just to keep them.

In Paradise, no one enters your life and, through the intensity of your love for them, makes you feel as though they have breathed life into your soul—only to bid you farewell after you have loved, cherished, become attached to them, and lost yourself in them, leaving you like a lifeless body that belongs to no one else.

In Paradise, there is no jealousy, no tears, and no striking your head against the wall out of helplessness because you could not attain something you desired with all your heart. Whatever you long for will be yours.

In Paradise, there are no laws to restrain you, no conscience to reproach you, no prohibitions, and no obstacles. You will act according to your natural inclination; whatever you wish to do, you will do without hesitation—just like a child who has only just begun to crawl, unconcerned with anyone around him.

In Paradise, there is no pain and no sleeplessness. No fire burns within your chest, and no cold gnaws at your bones. You will be whole, healthy, and untouched by harm.

In Paradise, there are no eyes reddened by endless tears, no eyelids weighed down by sleepless nights, no wrinkles, no gray hair, no bent backs, and no weakening bones. Imagine the peace that awaits there, and let your heart be comforted, my dear friend.

In Paradise, you will be reunited with loved ones who passed away and left you behind, and with others whom you loved but whom this world withheld from you. In Paradise, they will have whatever their souls desire.

In Paradise is beautiful companionship: the Prophets, the Siddiqin (the Truthful), Abu Bakr, Umar, Asiyah bint Muzahim, and Maryam (Mary), daughter of Imran. Those in whom we found comfort in this life—we ask Allah to let us meet them there.

In Paradise is the joy of gazing upon the Noble Face of Allah. Just imagine that moment, my dear friend. Simply imagining it lightens some of what you carry.

O Allah, grant us Paradise.

And peace be upon your heart.

— Adham Sharqawi