Anyone catch this today?

[rug]

Imam: 'We Can't Imagine' The Beauty Of Paradise After Death



by NPR Staff
October 08, 2013 5:41 PM

This week, All Things Considered is talking with leaders from different faiths about their perspectives on the afterlife. NPR's Robert Siegel spoke with Mufti Asif Umar, a Muslim scholar and imam of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, about what Muslims believe and about his own beliefs.

Umar, the 29-year-old son of Indian immigrants, said Muslims believe that when a person dies, two angels appear and ask that person three questions about his or her faith. Those questions, Umar says, have correct answers.

http://www.npr.org/2013/10/08/230499753/imam-we-cant-imagine-the-beauty-of-paradise-after-death

8:59 audio.

[IrishAyes]

1. Thanks for the OP. I'll look forward to checking it out.

It bothers me when I realize my comparative ignorance in any field. This will be a happy excursion for me.
...................

Perhaps I should've mentioned that my own notions about the afterlife are comfortably elastic. That's because I know we can't know completely ahead of time, and whatever it is will be fine with me. At least I know better than to make unwarranted assumptions.

That said, I care less than some folks about pearly gates and all that, which may or may not have any true literal meaning anyway. What could be more beautiful than nature, anyway? Insofar as such things might be left up to me, I'd be perfectly happy with a room above the horse stables, a free pass at the library, and the occasional rotation in choir. I also like Ricky Gervais' show Derek and agree with that character when he says, "When I die, I want to go where the dogs go."

Either way, the imam is right - it will be beyond our current understanding. That's enough for me. Sometimes folks get a little bothered with me because I don't want to argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin; but I don't need or want such details. God is there, so all is well. What else do I really need to know?