concern what is distressing, as in the Almighty’s words, “So give them tidings of a painful punishment.”
Glad tidings that deal with what pleases, however, are of two kinds: those pertaining to the Hereafter and those pertaining to this world.
- Glad tidings of the Hereafter
These are numerous and appear in many places in the Quran, such as His statement, “Give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that theirs shall be gardens beneath which rivers flow” (2:25); His words, “They shall have good news in the life of this world and in the Hereafter” (10:64); and His saying, “Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, of His good pleasure, and of gardens wherein they shall enjoy everlasting bliss, abiding therein forever; indeed, with Allah is a mighty reward” (9:21–22).
Likewise, the Exalted says, “And something else you love: help from Allah and an imminent victory. So give glad tidings to the believers” (61:13). All of this concerns matters of the Hereafter.
Among the signs that herald good regarding the Hereafter is a righteous dream (ruʾyā ṣāliḥa) that a person sees—or that is seen on his behalf. For example, someone may see in a dream and be told: “Give So-and-so the glad tidings that he is among the people of Paradise,” and he then conveys it; this is a glad tiding.
Another indicator is when a person finds within himself a ready inclination toward goodness and righteous deeds, craves them, loves them, and detests evil. This too is a glad tiding, because Allah, Most High, says: “As for him who gives, is mindful (of Allah), and affirms the ultimate good, We shall ease him toward ease” (92:5–7).
- Glad tidings concerning worldly affairs
An example is Allah’s statement about Abraham