There is a lovely relationship between glad tidings and the acts of worship enjoined by Allah The Almighty upon the believers.

Islam has given due care to prayer, urged people to perform it and encouraged people to attain its benefits. It is a key of Paradise and is among the finest deeds after the testimony of faith. It is the first deed that a slave will be reckoned for after parting with his relatives and friends when he meets the angels of Allah, Ad-Dayyaan (the Supreme Accounter).

Allah The Almighty has made prayer a noble attribute and a blessed adornment for the pious, those who believe in Him and those who are submissive to Him. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.} [Quran 2:2] These people have a prominent status and a praised position on the Day of Judgment because they are among the team of the successful, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.} [Quran 2:5]

In the prophetic Sunnah, there is a call that encourages performing prayers in congregation and at all their times, especially the two prayers of Subh (dawn) and ‘Ishaa’ (night), because glad tidings were received in this regard. Buraydah Ibn Al-Husayb, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention), said: "Give glad tidings to those who walk to the mosques in darkness of having a perfect light on the Day of Judgment." [Abu Daawood]

Zakah (obligatory charity) is another important pillar of Islam. Paying it is a sign of obeying Allah The Almighty who Says (what means): {And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.} [Quran 59:9] When the first Muslims heard this blessed call to spend (which means): {…And give Zakah} [Quran 22:78], they spent abundantly in goodness seeking the Pleasure of Allah The Exalted. Islam also encourages charity because of the general benefit and the great reward it entails. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {Those who spend their wealth [in Allah's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.} [Quran 2:274]
• {And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.} [Quran 3:97]

Hajj is a noble journey where the Muslim heads towards the secure city of Makkah to perform this act of worship which is prescribed by Allah The Almighty.

Great Benefits

Allah The Exalted has enjoined Hajj once in the lifetime of every capable Muslim. Hajj is the public annual conference of Muslims. They meet at the Sacred House from where the call was launched; this House which Allah made the first House on earth for worshipping Him. This is why whoever performs this obligation receives the best rewards. In Hajj, there are great benefits in the life of this world and in the Hereafter that encompass abundant good from Allah to the believers who glorify the sacred ordinances of Allah and avoid whatever He prohibits. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord.} [Quran 22: 30]

In performing the obligation of Hajj, there is great spiritual nourishment. The soul of the Muslim is filled with fear and piety of Allah and the determination to perform the acts of obedience due to the sentiment of true love for Allah The Exalted and His honored Messenger grows within it.

Thus, in Hajj, the feelings of brotherhood emerge everywhere. The pilgrim returns from his journey while his heart is purer and his determination to do acts of goodness is stronger because he has obtained purity and received good tidings of acceptance as the Mabroor (accepted) Hajj has no reward other than Paradise.

The Prophet informed the pilgrim who performed this obligation in a complete manner and without deviation in acts and deeds that he is accepted by Allah The Almighty and that he is forgiven and is now as sinless as a newborn baby. He said: "Whoever performs Hajj to Allah and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commit sins (therein) will come out as sinless as a new-born child." [Muslim]

In Hajj, there are many glad tidings and signs of faith that the Muslim should take advantage of.

Rejoice and Receive Glad Tidings

Glad tidings and rejoicing are among the noble morals of Islam which were encouraged by the Noble Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. Indeed, glad tidings constitute part of the Prophetic guidance itself.

The believer whose heart is filled with the joy of faith should be a bearer of glad tidings at all times, a bringer of good news of the call of truth in its appropriate place and cheerful and optimistic among people.

Glad tidings highlight the deeds performed by the believer because he is confident that his deeds will be accepted.

Allah The Almighty clarified the happiness, delight and rejoicing of martyrs when He Says (what means): {[They are] rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive glad tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them.} [Quran 3:170]

Glad tidings and optimism have a great status among virtues. Allah The Exalted informs us that He is the one who bears the glad tidings to those who deserve them to make them among those who rejoice, for He Says (what means):{The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.} [Quran 9:20-21]

There is no doubt that the people of glad tidings will receive bliss and a high state near a Sovereign who is Perfect in Ability. They have joyous faces and rejoice at the wonderful news of delight. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {[Some] faces, that Day, will be bright - laughing, rejoicing at good news.} [Quran 80:38-39]