Rewards for Righteousness (5/5)
Dr. Norlain Dindang
22. Abundance without measure or most excellent provision
“The life of this world is alluring to those who reject faith and they scoff at those who believe. But the righteous will be above them on the Day of Resurrection; for Allah bestows His abundance without measures on whom He will.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 212)
"Those who believe and work righteousness for them is forgiveness and a sustenance most generous.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:50)
“…And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness He will admit to Gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever: Allah has indeed granted for them a most excellent provision.” (Qur’an, Surah At-Talaaq, 65:11)
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “He who would get into Paradise (would be made to enjoy such an everlasting) bliss that he would neither become destitute, nor would his clothes wear out, nor his youth would decline.” (Reported by Muslim 6802)
23. They shall have before their Rabb all that they wish for (a fulfillment of the heart’s desires)
“To the righteous (when) it is said ‘What is it that your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) has revealed?’ they say ‘All that is good.’ To those who do good there is good in this world and the Home of the Hereafter is even better. And excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow (pleasant) rivers: they will have therein all that they wish: thus does Allah reward the righteous.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl, 16:30-31)
“You will see the wrongdoers in fear on account of what they have earned and [the burden of] that must [necessarily] fall on them. But those who believe and work righteous deeds will be in the luxuriant mead of the Gardens. They shall have before their Rabb all that they wish for. That will indeed be the magnificent Bounty [of Allah]. That is [the Bounty] whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: ‘No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin.’ And if anyone earns any good, We shall give Him an increase of good in respect thereof. For Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate [service].’” (Qur’an, Surah Ash-Shurah, 42: 22-23)
“Verily for the righteous there will be a fulfillment of (the Heart’s) desires; Gardens enclosed and Grape-vines; companions of equal age; and a cup full (to the brim). No vanity shall they hear therein nor untruth Recompense from your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) a Gift (amply) sufficient (from) the Rabb of the heavens and the earth and all between (Allah) Most Gracious: none shall have power to argue with Him.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Naba', 78:31-37)
24. In the presence or good pleasure of Allah: the supreme success
“Say: ‘shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Rabb with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home, with companions pure [and holy] and the good Pleasure of Allah. For in Allah’s Sight are [all] His servants.’” (Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Imran, 3: 15)
“As to the Righteous they will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers in an Assembly of Truth in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Qamar, 54:54-55)
“The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another. They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil. They observe regular prayers practice regular charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power Wise. Allah has promised the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme success.” (Qur’an, Surah At-Taubah, 9:71-72)
Suhayb ibn Sinan Ar-Rumi narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, “When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?’ They would say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire?’ He (the narrator) said: “He (Allah) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Rabb, the Mighty and the Glorious.” (Reported by Muslim 347)
‘Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, “The lowest in station among the inhabitants of Paradise will be he who looks at his gardens, his wives, his bliss, his servants, and his couches stretching a thousand years’ journey, and the one who will be most honored by Allah will be he who looks at His face morning and evening.” He then recited, “Faces on that day will be bright, looking at their Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer).” (Reported by Tirmidhi 5657 and Ahmad)
From the above Qur’anic Ayat (Verses) and authentic Ahadith, we can therefore say that righteousness brings tremendous rewards to us. It is for our benefit that we strive to spend our time, money, efforts and our life to attain righteousness. Let us take inspiration (and admonition) from Allah’s divine statement:
“If anyone does a righteous deed it is to his own benefit; if he does evil it works against (His own soul). In the end will you (all) be brought back to your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer).” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:15)