remain steadfast throughout the life of this world; the angels guide them, assist them, and come to their aid. Likewise, in the Hereafter the angels will welcome them on the Day of Resurrection and Reckoning, saying, “This is your Day, the one you were promised” (al-Anbiya 21:103). Thus, at the very moment of fear and hardship they bring them glad tidings of every good.

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “And in it you shall have whatever your souls desire, and in it you shall have whatever you ask for” (Fussilat 41:31)—meaning that in the Hereafter they will receive whatever their hearts long for, within the bliss of Paradise, for Paradise contains all that souls desire and eyes delight in. His words, “and in it you shall have whatever you ask for” (Fussilat 41:31), signify whatever they request; indeed, they will obtain even more than that, for He also says, “They will have therein whatever they wish, and with Us is yet more” (Qaf 50:35). They will therefore be granted an increase beyond anything they ask, seek, or hope for.

“It will be a welcome gift from One who is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Fussilat 41:32)—meaning that Paradise is a reception and hospitality from the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. “All-Forgiving”: He has erased their sins; “Most Merciful”: He has elevated their ranks. Such is the reward of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast.

This shows the crucial importance of remaining steadfast upon the religion of Allah: a person must stand firm, adding nothing, subtracting nothing, altering nothing, and changing nothing. Whoever is excessive in Allah’s religion, or negligent toward it, or tampers with it, has not been upright upon Allah’s Sharia. True steadfastness necessarily entails moderation in everything, so that a person may be genuinely upright upon the Sharia of Allah, Exalted is He.