Verses and Translation
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (٦٢) ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَڪَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ (٦٣) لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِڪَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٦٤)
“Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah. For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the words of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.”
Commentary
Allah tells us that His awliya (friends and allies) are those who believe and have taqwa of Allah as He defined them. Every pious, God-fearing person is a friend of Allah. Therefore “no fear shall come upon them” from the future horrors they will face in the Hereafter “nor shall they grieve” over anything left behind in this world.
Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Among the servants of Allah there will be those whom the Prophets and the martyrs will consider fortunate.” It was said, “Who are these, O Messenger of Allah, so we may love them.” He said, “These are people who loved one another for the sake of Allah without any other interest like money or kinship. Their faces will be light, upon platforms of light. They shall have no fear (on that Day) when fear shall come upon people. Nor shall they grieve when others grieve.” Then he recited, “Behold!! Verily, the Awliya’ (friends and allies) of Allah, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.”
Ibn Jarir narrated from Ubadah bin As-Samit that he (recited) to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “For them is good news, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter.” and said, “We know the good news of the Hereafter, it is Paradise. But what is the good news in this world?” He said, “It is the good dream that a servant may see or it is seen about him. This dream is one part from forty-four or seventy parts of Prophethood.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr said, “O Messenger of Allah! What about a man who does deeds that the people commend him for?” Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “That is the good news that has been expedited for the believer.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Amr said that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “For them is good news, in the life of the present world” Then he said, “The good dream that comes as a good news for the believer is a part of forty-nine parts of prophethood. So if anyone of you has a good dream, he should narrate it to others. But if he has a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Shaytan to make him sad. He should blow to his left three times, and say: ‘Allahu Akbar’ and should not mention it to anyone.”
And it was also said, “The good news here is the glad tidings the angels bring to the believer at the time of death. They bring him the good news of Paradise and forgiveness.”
Similarly, Allah said, “Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah (alone)” and then they stand straight and firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying), “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised! We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your souls desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask. An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”) [Quran; 41:30-32]
In the Hadith narrated by Al-Bara’, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “When death approaches the believer, angels with white faces and white clothes come to him and say, ‘O good soul! Come out to comfort and provision and a Lord who is not angry.’ The soul then comes out of his mouth like a drop of water pouring out of a water skin.” Their good news in the Hereafter is as Allah said, “The greatest terror (on the Day of Resurrection) will not grieve them, and the angels will meet them, (with the greeting:) “This is your Day which you were promised.” [Quran; 21:103] and, “On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women — their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly, this is the great success!” [Quran; 57:12]
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) said, “No change can there be in the Words of Allah.” meaning, this promise doesn’t change or breach or fall short. It is decreed and firm, and going to happen undoubtedly. [Ibn Kathir]