The best of what can be asked for is to be granted, in the Hereafter, the ability to gaze upon our Creator, Allah ‘Azzawajal, while abiding in the highest and excellent part of Paradise, Jannatul-Firdaus al-A’laa, in the company of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This is the nearest place to the ‘Arsh of Allah, which means the closest to Allah for those who have attained the highest rank and honour. What request could be better than this? This is what we should aim for because the home of the Hereafter is the true and everlasting life; unlike the life of this world which is merely distraction, amusement and play. Allah says:

“And this worldly life is not but distraction and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – indeed, that is the (eternal) life, if only they knew.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:64]

“But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and everlasting.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-A’la, 87:16-17]

“And indeed, the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Ad-Duha, 93:4]

THE GREATEST REWARD FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE

The greatest reward that Allah will grant to the people of Paradise is the blessing of gazing upon Him just as one sees the full moon, as well as His bestowal of His Pleasure upon them, after which He will never again be angry with them.

It was narrated that Suhaib ibn Sinan رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger of Allah recited this Verse: ‘For those who have done good is the best reward and even more.’ Then he said: ‘When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, and the people of the Fire enter the Fire, a caller will cry out: ‘O people of Paradise! You have a covenant with Allah and He wants to fulfill it.’ They will say: ‘What is it? Has Allah not made the Balance (of our good deeds) heavy, and made our faces bright, and admitted us to Paradise and saved us from Hell?’ Then the Veil will be lifted and they will look upon Him, and by Allah, Allah will not give them anything that is more beloved to them or delightful to their eyes, than gazing upon Him.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah (187)]

Narrated Jarir رضي الله عنه: “Allah’s Messenger ﷺ came out to us on the night of the full moon and said: ‘You will see your Lord on the Day of Resurrection as you see this (full moon) and you will have no difficulty in seeing Him.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari (7436)]

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Allah will say to the people of Paradise: ‘O the people of Paradise!’ They will say: ‘Labbaika Rabbanaa wa Sa’daika (Here we are, at your service, our Lord, and at Your Pleasure to obey You), and all the good is in Your Hands!’ Allah will say: ‘Are you satisfied?’ They will say: ‘Why shouldn’t we be satisfied, O our Lord, as You have given us what You have not given to any of Your created beings?’ He will say: ‘Shall I not give you something better than that?’ They will say: ‘O our Lord! What else could be better than that?’ He will say: ‘I bestow My Pleasure on you and will never ever be angry with you after that.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari (7518) and Sahih Muslim (2829)]

Therefore, we should aim high in our aspirations for the Hereafter.