Aziz an-Nasafi
in his “Unveiling of the Realities”
gives this beautiful explanation in regard
to the rivers of paradise and the water/milk/honey/wine
mentioned:
Know that water
causes life and its benefit is common for
everything in all times, and the reality of
these rivers of water in heaven is that they
are the waters of life for all the people
of heaven who enjoy all of them.
The cause which
nurtures children is milk which is more particular
than water, since the benefit of milk is common
for all but only at a certain time. The reality
of these rivers of milk in heaven is that
they are the rivers of common sense which
is the basis and exoteric aspect of wisdom,
and the common pleasure in heaven is derived
from these rivers.
The cause of healing
sickness and suffering is honey which is more
particular than milk since the benefit of
honey is particular for some people. The reality
of these rivers of honey in heaven is that
they are the rivers of wisdom for the special
ones and the pleasure of the special ones
in heaven is derived from these rivers.
The cause
which removes grief and sadness is wine which
is more particular than honey since wine is
unlawful and impure for all the people of
the world but it is lawful and pure for the
people of heaven. The purification and reality
of these rivers of wine in heaven is that
they are the wisdom and pleasure of the special
ones among the special ones in heaven and
their pleasure is derived from these rivers.
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