الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا
Those upon whom Allah has bestowed favors from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the righteous, what good company are they!
Sura an-Nisaa, verse 69
In this verse Allah describes a special group of people whom He has favored. These are the Prophets sent to guide others, the truthful ones who witnessed and spread the message truthfully, the ones who sacrificed and gave their lives for the mission, and the righteous ones who abided by the message. Believers who obey Allah and His Messenger will be allowed to be in the company of this special group in Heaven.
Good company is important, both in this world and in the Hereafter. Here, God describes good and noble company as a reward for believers in the hereafter. It is an award of excellence, a badge signifying status with God. Everything about Heaven is unique – the food, the clothes, the couches, the surroundings, even the company and friends. It cannot be compared to this world. Hadith says Heaven has what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined.
We often wonder what we will do in Heaven if, and when, we get there. Apart from enjoying the physical bounties, what will believers do there? One answer can be found in this verse. The company you will enjoy there is outstanding. Imagine being in the company of people in history whose stories you have heard of, whom you admire and wish you had met. For obedient believers, that will be a precious recompense for their patience in this world.
Recite this verse to remind yourself of the friends that await the believer in Heaven. Look forward to it and work for it as hard as you can. It will be a joyous time and good company always multiplies joys. That will be the place you really belong to, not this world.