The True Good Life (حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً) – Dr. Saleh as Saleh [Audio|En]

Explanation of Good Life as mentioned in 16:97

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – 16:97

Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while being a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall certainly reward them in proportion to the best of what they used to do.

From Tafsir ibn Kathir (Darussalam english Publication)

Righteous Deeds and their Reward

This is a promise from Allah to those Children of Adam, male or female, who do righteous deeds – deeds in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet, with a heart that believes in Allah and His Messenger , while believing that these deeds are commanded and enjoined by Allah. Allah promises that He will give them a good life in this world and that He will reward them according to the best of their deeds in the Hereafter.

The good life includes feeling tranquility in all aspects of life.

It has been reported that Ibn `Abbas and a group (of scholars) interpreted it to mean good, lawful provisions.

It was reported that `Ali bin Abi Talib interpreted as contentment. This was also the opinion of Ibn `Abbas, `Ikrimah and Wahb bin Munabbih.

`Ali bin Abi Talhah recorded from Ibn `Abbas that it meant happiness. Al-Hasan, Mujahid and Qatadah said: “None gets (this﴾ good life ﴿mentioned) except in Paradise.”

Ad-Dahhak said: “It means lawful provisions and worship in this life”. Ad-Dahhak also said: “It means working to obey Allah and finding joy in that.” The correct view is that a good life includes all of these things.

As found in the Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad from `Abdullah bin `Amr that the Messenger of Allah said:
« قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ، وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا، وَقَنَّعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا آتَاه »

(He who submits (becomes a Muslim) has succeeded, is given sufficient provisions, and is content with Allah for what he is given.)

It was also recorded by Muslim.