Vocabulary

Architecture:  buildings, the style of buildings, or the  work of designing buildings

Observation: something  seen or noticed

Master: an expert, someone having power and control

Paradise:  a place of peace, righteousness, and beauty; heaven

Persian: Something related to Persia. Persia was an ancient empire that was based in the modern country of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Qualification: something needed to make a person able and worthy to do a job or activity

Map of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Isfahan is  considered one of the loveliest cities in the world. It is located in the Islamic Republic of Iran.  Tehran is Iran's  capital and largest city.

Isfahan is famous for its Persian architecture. Many buildings in Isfahan have colorful tiles, fancy patterns, and dome ceilings. The city was designed with wide roads, covered bridges, parks, and gardens.  One of the prettiest sites in Isfahan is the Naghsh-i-Jahan Square.

Iranians have mastered the science of garden design. Their gardens are designed to be heavenly paradises. In fact, the English word, paradise, was taken from the Persian word "paradaijah". Paradaijah means a walled enclosed area. In the Islamic world, walls are often built around courtyards and gardens for privacy.

Heaven and Hell are conditions of life. We can choose to create a heaven for ourselves by living the life of a Muslim and working dutifully. The Black man and woman are the people of Paradise.

"Allah has promised to the believers, men and women, Gardens, wherein flow rivers, to abide therein, and goodly dwellings in Gardens of perpetual abode. And greatest of all is Allah's goodly pleasure. That is the grand achievement." - Holy Quran 9:72

Our Messenger teaches:

"The future of the Black man is so beautiful that we can hardly comprehend it! The biggest thing that stands before us is qualification - and readiness. Let us get qualified to master the house that God is giving to us, before someone tries to rob us of that mastering of the house. If they rob us of the mastery of the house, I am sorry for us.

I say to you, Black Brother and Black Sister, do not be foolish. The kingdom of heaven will be given to you and to me. Have patience to receive it.

But, to get the house into our service, it is like a mother giving birth to a baby - the baby must mature in that which he is in. As a baby matures in the womb of the mother in order to be born, so the Black Man must mature to be born into a new world that the Black man must build himself. These are the days of trouble."

The Fall of America - The Days of Trouble (pg. 183)

Sites around Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

Think!

What are your observations about the city of Isfahan?

What are your observations about the architecture?

What are your observations about our teachings about qualifying for our beautiful future?

Do you have any other observations?

Photo Credits: Shahr Sakht Afzar