Imam Ibn Qayyim stated:
Allah the most High said: “Whoever works
righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of
Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world
with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them
certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e.
Paradise in the Hereafter).” [Soorah An-Nahl: 97]
This is the saying of the Most Truthful and its
intrinsic significance in the sight of its people is by certainty; rather, it
is the absolute truth with certainty. It is mandatory that Allah will grant whoever
does righteous deeds a good life[1] in
proportion to his work and eemaan.
However, the uncivilized err concerning what is
termed a good life; they consider it to mean reveling in various sorts of food,
drink, clothing and women, or the pleasure of authority, wealth, conquering
enemies and mastery of various types of cravings . There is no doubt that this
type of pleasure is common among animals; rather, the share of most animals in
this sort of enjoyment could be more than the share of man.
Source: Miftaah Daar as-Sa‘aadah wa Manshoor Wilaayah
Ahl al-‘Ilm wal-Iraadah by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
[1] Commenting of this Aayah, Ibn
Katheer stated: “The good life includes feeling tranquility in all aspects of
life. It has been reported that, Ibn ‘Abbaas and a group (of scholars)
interpreted it to mean good, lawful provisions. It was reported that ‘Alee bin
Abee Taalib interpreted it as contentment. Alee bin Abee Taalib recorded from
Ibn ‘Abbaas that it meant happiness.” See Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
