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A Good Life

The Quran proposes a good life that is spiritual and God-centered. It is a gift of God based on

faith. Living a good life here is rewarded in the life that comes after death.

Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a

believer, We shall certainly make him live a good life, and

We shall certainly give them their reward for the best of

what they did. (Quran 16:97)

A good life is what most people want to

live. It is a life of happiness and fulfillment

with little suffering, pain, orsickness. Aristotle wrote about it. Several

novels and plays have been written on

it. Singers like Tony Bennett have made it

popular with their songs. The American

dream defined it to be richer, better, and

fuller for everyone in the form of good

education, a well-paying job, and a

comfortable life. The state of Nebraska even chose A Good Life to be itspromotional slogan.

Gods Word, on the other hand, sets a slightly different standard for a

good life. It bases a good life on spiritual contentment. It does not limit a

good life tied to superior education, material plenty, or the perfect body. It

brings happiness not from what lies outside, but from within. More

accurately, a good life is God centered.

God promises a good life to whoever does good deeds. What makes

deeds good? It is not what people define good for themselves. Worstcriminals justify their crimes. Fighting parties do not think of themselves

as anything but good. A good deed is simply every good action that i

listed in the Book that God has revealed for humanity or it was taught by

the prophet that God send. Quran is the Book revealed by God and Prophet

Muhammad is the last prophet He send.

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There are several points to be noted:

1. A good life is promised by God to every child of Adam, man or

woman. It is an equal opportunity to attain happiness for every human

being. It does not matter where or when they live. The recipe of

success is the same for all. Male or female, all are equal in the sight

of how God rewards them in terms of the effort they put in this life.2. The only requirement for the person is to have faith. Faith in God

is the foundation on which life must be based. This good life is not

tied to wealth, family status, or membership of a privileged

class. They may be ingredients to happiness, but without a connection

with God they lose meaning. The way to have a connection with God

is to believe in His prophet as well. Therefore, a person must have

faith in God and His prophet. Only a person with faith will perform

works that are commanded by God and His prophet. Faith is thedriving force of any action acceptable to God.

3. The good life can be any form of comfort. It can be earning a decent

livelihood that does not contradict Gods teachings. It can be the inner

feeling of contentment whether one is rich or poor. Some state it is the

pure joy of worship. Think about it, someone who lives a good life

should love someone or something. What greater joy can be there than

loving God and building a relationship with Him based on worship!

4. This life is not the end of it. There is more after death. Living a goodlife on this earth is further rewarded by God in the eternal life to come

after death. God promises to reward men and women of faith with the

best actions they did in this life and the reward is no less than eternal

Paradise.

5. Most people work all their lives to have the perfect good life.

Whether it is finding ways to make more money or going to college, yet

not everyone is able to live a life of happiness and fulfillment. Why?

Because a good life is a gift of God. He gives it to whom He wills.

6. Many people put forth great services for fellow human beings. They

make discoveries, create inventions, find cures, build free clinics and

schools, but they lack faith. God does not wrong them. God pays them

back in this world, but in the life to come, they get nothing. God

informs us in the Quran,

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If anyone desires a harvest in the life to come, We shall

increase it for him; if anyone desires a harvest in this

world, We shall give him a share of it, but in the Hereafter

he will have no share. (Quran 42:20)

Such people do not serve humanity to earn reward in the life to come,

they do it to earn fame or to get rich. They usually get what they workedfor. That is their reward. God states,

But the deeds of those who disbelieve are like a mirage in

a desert: the thirsty person thinks there will be water but,

when he gets there, he finds only God, who pays him his

account in full - God is swift in reckoning. (Quran 24:39)