Good News
In an earlier section, we mentioned that those sincere believers who give themselves to Allah will enjoy His blessings in this life before they enter Paradise. One of the most important blessings is the promise of good news to believers. Several verses"speak of Allah's promise of Paradise and the announcement of this good news to believers as follows:
Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good pleasure, and Gardens where they will enjoy everlasting delight. (Surat at-Tawba, 21)
There is good news for them in the life of the world and in the hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory! (Surah Yunus, 64)
The hearts of those believers who have hope in this good news trust that their good works will find favor in Allah's sight, that the blessings they await are close at hand, and are filled with contentment.
The Qur'an states that believers will receive the good news also from angels. Those faithful servants who sincerely believe in Allah and associate nothing with Him, who carefully obey the Qur'an's commands and counsel, and are eager to live according to its moral teaching, may hope for this joyful news. Certainly, this news is an indescribable joy for all believers who ardently desire Paradise. As we read in the Qur'an:
The angels descend upon those who say: "Our Lord is Allah," and then go straight: "Do not fear or grieve, but receive the glad tiding of Paradise that you have been promised. We are your protectors in the life of the world and the hereafter. You will have there all that your selves could wish for. You will have there everything that you demand. Hospitality from the One Who is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah Fussilat, 30-32)
Allah has also entrusted the prophets with announcing this good news. In Surat al-Ahzab, 47, Allah commands the Prophet (saas) to proclaim that believers will receive an immense reward from Him; In Surah Ya Sin, 11, He reveals him that"those who obey the Qur'an and stand in awe of the Most Gracious will receive pardon and an excellent reward; and Surat az-Zumar, 17 announces that those who shun the worship of false gods and turn toward Allah will have good news. And in Surah Yunus, 2, Allah tells His Messenger to "give good news to those who believe, that they are on a sure footing with their Lord."
When we look at the common characteristics of the believers, those described in the above verses as those given the good news of Paradise, we see that they are sincere people who are extremely close to Allah, acknowledge their weakness, obey the Qur'an and the Prophet, and fear Allah.
