Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

(16:97)

We all seek for one common thing; a peaceful, content and a good life. Even if you have everything, doesn't mean you have a good life; you could be filled with problems all around the corner. You might have so much of wealth, money; but it cannot buy you a happy life. In this ayah, Allah tells us what we need to do in order to attain the happy life which we all want.

Most of us have been there at some point; I'm a woman, what can I do? But there are no differences here, Allah doesn't discriminate between the genders. In a way Allah is reassuring us. Each are different, each have different roles to play, different responsibilities and each will be rewarded accordingly without their reward being diminished.

However, there are '2' conditions if we want a good, content, peaceful life:
- You should be a believer
- You should do good deeds

They go hand in hand, not singled out. So not only should you believe in Allah, the last day and the other articles of faith, but you should also do good deeds!

The best thing is; you're winning it all, you'll be rewarded with good in this world, but Allah is giving you something much more; he'll give you THE BEST in the hereafter, because of what you used to do. So do good deeds; Allah won't waste it.

The reward for the hereafter wouldn't wait till the Day of Judgement, firstly, it'll start from death.

Imam Ahmad narrated that al-Bara' ibn 'Aazib(ra) said:

"Verily, when the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with white faces, as if their faces are the sun. They bring with them one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (peace be upon him) comes to him and sits by his head and says, 'O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah.' Then his soul comes flowing out like a drop of water flowing from a cup. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that shroud and perfume. Then out of it comes the most excellent fragrance of musk to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, 'Who is this pure soul?' and they reply, 'It is So and so the son of So and so' – using the best names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is opened for him. Those who are of high rank in each heaven accompany it until they approach the next heaven, and so it goes until it reaches the seventh heaven. Then Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: 'Record the book of My slave in 'Illiyoon (a place where the righteous souls are; after they die) and take him back to the earth, for I created them from it, and I shall return them to it, then I shall take them out from it again.' Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up"

The angels would treat you like a celebrity when they come to take your soul, they'd want you to come by their way! Just imagine; the celebrities today; their audience are just normal human beings, but for the righteous soul? It's the angels!😍

Secondly in the grave; there would be a garden of paradise! And finally after accounting for on the Day of judgement, you'll finally be entered in to Jannah.

The following are from other verses of the Quran that relate to this topic:

Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allaah (Alone)," and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!"

[Fussilat:30]

"and its keepers will say: Salaamun 'Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein"

[al-Zumar:74]

"And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying):

"Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"

[al-Ra'd:23-24]

Picture yourself; at the most feared time, at the time of death, you'll be terrified, but hearing words of peace from the angels, wouldn't it make you feel better?