Because our brains have been programmed to evaluate only the data received through the five senses, we are oblivious to all the life forms that fall outside this perception range. Yet, besides all the life forms on other planets, we’re not even aware of the jinn who constantly try to manipulate and affect our brains!
The Quran refers to the conscious creatures that live in the Sun as ‘zabani’. They are also a type of angel. Due to their luminous knowledge (nur)-based makeup and the fact they are formed within that environment, they live under what may seem extreme conditions to us, without being adversely affected, like water is the natural living environment for fish.
They have extremely large bodies and the ability to move very quickly compared to other beings. Just like fish dwell in water, swallow water and breathe water, the zabani dwell in fire, they eat and breathe fire. They play with the humans and jinn that go there as though playing with a ball, picking on and bullying them for not listening to those who warned them about hell…
Just like we think we have the liberty to treat animals however we like, caging them, taming them, punishing them to teach them certain skills and domesticate them, the zabani do the same to those in their living environment, oblivious to whether this causes them suffering!
The word zabani means ‘to degrade, humiliate, insult, etc.’ They are domineering and commanding beings of such enforcing power that anyone that is subject to their harassment is bound to be ridiculed, insulted, degraded and caused to suffer. Similar to some people who are possessed by the jinn and end up on the streets miserable and distraught, or the circus animals who are put through so much torture or the animals used in laboratories for experimental purposes!
No doubt, the best thing to do is to avoid such places!
I’m assuming I’ve sufficiently explained why hell is grace and, contrary to common thought, people aren’t sent to hell so they suffer but as the natural consequence of their actions that results from their incorrect thoughts and emotions, that is, suffering is the resulting effect of such false conditionings.
As a side note, if only those who are moralized with the morals of Allah can enter paradise, what then are the morals of Allah? Something to think about...
Now on to specific grace…
Specific grace is a distinct form of grace, specified for those whom He has chosen for Himself…
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills”[1]
“He is not questioned (called to account) for what He does!”[2]
First, He rids the servant whom He chooses for Himself from ‘hidden duality’, the ego-identity and the concept of an external god, then he moralizes him with His own morals, then He rewards him with ‘unveiling’ (kashf) and self-conquest (fath), enabling him to experience the life of paradise! Beyond this is only known to those who experience it!
There is also another meaning denoted by the name ‘Rahim’.
We said the grace denoted by Rahman is related to cleansing, which inevitably causes some form of pain and suffering. Though the amputation of an organ is seemingly an intense form of suffering, the fact it’s done with the purpose of saving one’s life causes us to thank the surgeon rather than be upset with him. This kind of grace, which initially causes pain and suffering, but is essentially for a beneficial outcome, is Rahman-based grace.
The grace of the Rahim, on the other hand, is not for the purpose of cleansing or teaching, but purely to give pleasure via beauteous experiences. This is the kind of grace that will be experienced in the life of paradise.
However, let us be mindful that the Names of Allah are constantly in effect. Hence, to think the meaning of the name Rahim is currently ineffective and will only be in effect in paradise is a complete misconception. The name Rahim is in effect at every instance, whether we realize this or not.
There are many people who have and who currently are experiencing the manifestation of this Name on Earth, while others only experience it in paradise, perhaps without even knowing how and why it is formed.
Besides the people of unveiling and self-conquest, the people of certainty, the people of authenticity and the people of gnosis of Allah are still consciously experiencing and observing the manifestation of the name Rahim in light of the letter B.
The meaning of the expression, ‘La hawla wala kuwwata illa B’illah’ is also from the Rahim.
Thus, it is utterly incorrect to think the name Rahim will only be in effect in paradise, in the life after death, especially when infinite amounts of angels are constantly subject to the effect of this Name!