The body may well luxuriate, a person may be granted every earthly adornment, yet his heart can be burning in torment—Allah’s refuge is sought.

If you wish to see the proof, recite His words: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer—We shall surely grant him a goodly life, and We shall certainly reward them according to the best of what they used to do” (al-Nahl 16:97). Notice that He did not say, “We shall luxuriate their bodies,” but rather, “We shall grant him a goodly life,” meaning the intimacy with Allah, the openness of the breast, the tranquility of the heart, and the like. One of the early Muslims said, “If the kings knew the bliss we enjoy, they would fight us for it with their swords”—referring to the serenity of the breast, the light of the heart, the calm and the assurance it contains.

I ask Allah to expand my own heart and yours for Islam and to illumine them with knowledge and faith; He is indeed Most Generous, Most Noble.

5/256 — It is narrated from him that a black woman—or, in another report, a young man—used to sweep the mosque. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ noticed her absence, he asked about her (or him). They said, “She has died.” He replied, “Why did you not inform me?” It seemed they regarded her (or his) matter as insignificant. He then said, “Show me her grave.” They led him to it, and he performed prayer over her. Afterwards he said, “These graves are filled with darkness for their occupants, but Allah illuminates them for them by means of my prayer over them.” Agreed upon.