In other words, do not give them this glad tiding lest they content themselves with what is merely obligatory and neglect the voluntary acts they ought to perform. Muʿādh, however—may Allah be pleased with him—did relate it on his death-bed, fearing the sin of concealing knowledge, and so he disclosed it then.

The Prophet’s words, “Do not inform them, lest they rely on it,” therefore warn against complacency and make clear that a person must realize the inevitability of worship.

The rest of the hadiths the author cites are all set within the framework of hope. One of them states that the believer is questioned in the grave and testifies, “There is no deity but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet ﷺ said that this is the “firm word” about which Allah says: “Allah makes firm those who believe with the firm word, in the life of this world and in the Hereafter” (Qurʾān 14:27)—namely, the testimony that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

In his grave the deceased is asked three questions: “Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?” He answers, “My Lord is Allah, my religion is Islam, and my prophet is Muhammad ﷺ.”

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) also mentions the description of the believer’s reckoning: Allah, Blessed and Exalted, will come on the Day of Resurrection, draw His believing servant aside, cover him with His veil, and say, “You committed such-and-such and such-and-such,” enumerating his sins. When the servant acknowledges them, He will say, “I concealed them for you in the world, and today I forgive you,” and his record of good deeds will be handed to him in his right hand.

Another narration states that on the Day of Resurrection each believer will have a Jew or a Christian appointed in his stead, and it will be said, “This is your ransom from the Fire,” meaning that person will take his place in the Fire while the believer himself is saved.