salaam
peace4life, i agree with you, but with a slight difference, since you have posted these words (note the bold, which is mine);
Quote
(He measured an amount of guidance, which is pre-destined, pre-ordained)
rather than 'pre-destined' or 'pre-ordained', in my understanding is 'drafted'. in simple language it is like a flowchart detailing the process of a product. a step-by-step process indeed as you have mentioned, but it is all subjective to the acceptance, recognition, mind, deeds, etc., of the recipient of the message.
it is commonly understood that when one does good, he goes to heaven. otherwise one will go to hell.
however in my comprehension, heaven and hell is in this life at this very moment. remember that when hell is described, it is all about fire, intense heat, burning, scorching, etc. while about heaven the phrase is often followed by 'tajri min tahtihal anhar' (please check the transliteration). this phrase is usually understood as 'where the rivers flow underneath'.
but consider this;
hell is a state when one feels the heat, intense burning, scorching, etc., not only physically, but mostly mentally because the rejection, disbelief, ridicule, character assassination, etc., of the message and rasool is a mental process. compounded rejection, disbelief, ridicule, character assassination, etc., will end one in mental as well as physical pains - anger, worry, distress, illness, etc. the rasool has been sending messages to each and everyone of the us, so when we ignore the rasool, we will suffer this hell. and there is this 'azaban heenan' among others, which means a punishment (suffering) of degradation. and there are other punishment as well. remember the war in 2.98?
heaven is often associated with 'tajri min tahtihal anhar' which means 'better days are getting closer or being manifested'. for those who conform to the messages, keeping aware of God, acknowledging, respecting, honoring, etc., all the time (da'imoon), then they will enjoy better days - where life shall be easier for them. they may eat the same food as perhaps yesterday or the day before, but it is definitely not of the same nutrient. it is about 'zawj' or 'duality' or similar but not of the same quality. likewise are their days. thus they shall enjoy a good life in this world (thus in the hereafter), and have no fear nor worry about tomorrow.
when we decide to follow the message (kitaab), walk the talk. then insha-Allah one will go through the experience accordingly, and perhaps even exactly like the experience of past prophets mentioned in the Qur'an. then one will see insha-Allah how true is that verse which reads, 'Don't refer to those 'killed' in the path to God as dead, but very much alive, even if you do not understand' or to that effect. so it is a progression indeed, but drafted rather than ordained. it starts with the mind.
and as always, please ponder without prejudice. you will be held responsible by God, for what you have gathered in mind.
peace!
jb
