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All perfect praise is due to Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allaah exalt his mention, as well as his family and all his companions.

Giving someone glad tidings is one of the matters that Islaam encouraged, and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, himself used to give the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them good tidings in matters related to their religion.

In general it is used to refer to the good tidings, yet tidings could be bad as well, as in the saying of Allaah:

فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

which means: “ … give them tidings of a painful punishment” [Aal ‘Imraan: 21].

`Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “He who loves to meet Allaah, Allaah loves to meet him; and he who dislikes to meet Allaah, Allaah abhors to meet him.” I (`Aa’ishah) said: “O Messenger of Allaah! So far as the feelings of aversion against death is concerned, we all have this feeling.’’ Thereupon he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “I do not mean that. What I meant is that when a (true) believer is given the glad tidings of the Mercy of Allaah, His Pleasures and His Paradise (at the time of death), he loves to meet Allaah, and Allaah also loves to meet him. When a disbeliever is given tidings of the Torment of Allaah and His Wrath (at the time of death), he dislikes to meet Allaah and Allaah also abhors to meet him.” [Muslim]. The word ‘tidings’ in this narration was used to refer to both good and bad.

There are many verses in the Qur’aan in which the word ‘tidings’ was used to refer to the punishment of the disbelievers, but in principle it refers to the good type as the overwhelming usage of it in the Qur’aan is, as in the saying of Allaah:

فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلامٍ حَلِيمٍ

which means: “So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy” [As-Saaffaat: 101]. News could be true and it could also be false, whereas tidings are usually true.

Conveying good tidings and things that bring joy to the person’s heart is a recommended thing which Islaam encourages. One of the best things to convey as good tidings to the believers is about what Allaah Has prepared for them in the Hereafter, as Allaah says:

وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا مِنْهَا مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ رِزْقاً قَالُوا هَذَا الَّذِي رُزِقْنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَأُتُوا بِهِ مُتَشَابِهاً وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

which means: “And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit there from, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before.” And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally” [Al-Baqarah: 25].

Additionally, Allaah gave the Muslims glad tidings with the angels as their supporters saying:

إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُمْ بِأَلْفٍ مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ * وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَى وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِ قُلُوبُكُمْ

which means: “[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, `Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.` And Allaah made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby.” [Al-Anfaal: 9-10].

Glad tidings do not only refer to worldly or material matters, as many people mistakenly believe, and the above verses are evidence for this. Many people prefer the hastened worldly pleasure over that in the Hereafter, even during the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, as in the case of the Bedouins from the tribe of Tameem who came to him, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, once and he said to them: “Glad tidings for you O people of Tameem, so come closer” Thereupon they said: “You gave us glad tidings, so fulfill it and give it to us” These Bedouins limited the definition of a glad tiding to be one of this worldly life, while the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to teach them something beneficial about their Hereafter. An expression of discontentment appeared at the face of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, so he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, turned towards a group who came from Yemen and said to them: “Accept the glad tidings O people of Yemen since the people from Tameem did not accept it” they said: “We accept it” he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, started informing them about the issue of the beginning of creation, the Throne of Allaah and other matters. [Al-Bukhaari].

These were general glad tidings to the Muslims or groups of them, while he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, gave special individual glad tidings to some of the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, like in the case of him, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, giving glad tidings to many of the companions of them being amongst the dwellers of Paradise, such as Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan, ‘Ali and many others, may Allaah be pleased with them. Likewise, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, gave special glad tidings to Thaabit Ibn Qays, may Allaah be pleased with him, that he was not amongst the dwellers of Hellfire.

Good dreams are amongst glad tidings: This is also included in the religious glad tidings, because the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, informed us with this. Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “All that is left from Prophethood are the glad tidings.” He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked what these glad tidings were, and he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “The good dream.” [Al-Bukhaari].

A person being praised for his good deeds is a glad tiding: This is one more thing that is included in the religious glad tidings. If a believer performs a good deed and people start talking about it and praise him for it, while he was sincere in his performance and did not seek their praise by doing it, then this is a religious glad tiding for him and it does not reduce his reward any. Abu Tharr, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked: “Tell us about a person who does some good deed and people praise him, will this be considered as showing off?” He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, replied: “This is the glad tidings which a believer receives (in this life).” [Muslim].

Glad tiding to the seekers of knowledge: Zirr bin Hubaysh, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported: “I went to Safwaan Ibn `Assaal, may Allaah be pleased with him, to inquire about wiping with wet hands over light boots while performing ablution. He asked me: “O Zirr! What brings you here?” I answered: “The search for knowledge”. He said: “Glad tidings to you as the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of joy for what he seeks”” [At-Tirmithi].

Glad tiding with high rewards to those afflicted: An example for this is someone whose child dies. Abu Sinaan, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “I buried my son Sinaan and Abu Talhah Al-Khawlaani, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was sitting at the edge of his grave. As I was about to leave, he took hold of my hand and said: `O Abu Sinaan! Glad tidings for you … then he informed me of the narration of Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari, may Allaah be pleased with him, who reported: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “When a man’s child dies, Allaah, the Exalted, asks His angels, `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?` and they reply in the affirmative. He then asks, `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?` and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks: `What did my slave say?` They say: `He praised You and said: Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon (We belong to Allaah and to Him we shall return).` Allaah says: `Build a house for my slave in Paradise and name it Baitul-Hamd (the House of Praise).`” [At-Tirmithi].

Furthermore, a believer should be one who always brings glad tidings to others and meet them with a cheerful face. When the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, sent Abu Moosaa and Mu’aath, may Allaah be pleased with them, to Yemen he said to them: “Make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them) ” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim].

Glad tiding concerning Islaamic conquests: Whenever the Muslims conquer an area, this news must be conveyed as glad tidings to the other Muslims so that they may also rejoice for the victory of Islaam and the Muslims. This was the common practice of the early Muslims who used to send the good tidings of their victory during their battles to the leaders of the believers, as happened in the caliphate of Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and others, may Allaah be pleased with them.

Glad tiding at the time of death: If a person is known to be a righteous one, then it is recommended to give him glad tidings at the time of his death with the reward of Allaah, so that he may die whilst having good thoughts and hoping for such reward. When ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, was stabbed, one of the companions, may Allaah be pleased with him, walked in to him and said: “Glad tidings to you, O leader of the believers. You ruled and were just; you served Islaam so much; and here you are concluding your life with martyrdom” ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “I hope that I will be resurrected breaking even”.

Conveying glad tiding with the death of a tyrant: It is considered a glad tiding when a tyrant, a criminal, an evil person or an oppressor dies or is killed. Al-Baraa’ Ibn ‘Aazib, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “Allaah’s Apostle, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, sent a group of Al-Ansaar men to kill Abu-Raafi’ who used to bad mouth the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. One of them set out and entered their fort (i.e. the enemies). That companion said: “I hid myself in a stable for their animals. They closed the fort gate. Later they lost a donkey of theirs, so they went out in its search. I, too, went out along with them, pretending to look for it. They found the donkey and entered their fort. And I, too, entered along with them. They closed the gate of the fort at night, and kept its keys in a small window where I could see them. When those people slept, I took the keys and opened the gate of the fort and came upon Abu Raafi’ and said: ‘O Abu Raafi’! When he replied to me, I proceeded towards the voice and hit him. He shouted and I came out to come back, pretending to be a helper. I said whilst changing the tone of my voice, ‘O Abu Raafi’! He asked me: “What do you want; woe to your mother?” I asked him: “What has happened to you?” He said: “I don’t know who came to me and hit me.” Then I drove my sword into his belly and pushed it forcibly till it touched the bone. Then I came out, filled with puzzlement and went towards a ladder of theirs in order to get down but I fell down and dislocated my foot, so I tied it and went to my companions and said: “Rush and give glad tidings to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, as I will not leave till I hear the wailing of the women (i.e. to confirm he has died)” So, I did not leave till I heard the women bewailing Abu Raafi’” [Al-Bukhaari].

Rulings and etiquettes pertaining to tidings:

· It is recommended to reward the person conveying the glad tiding: When someone is given a glad tiding, it is recommended that he grants the conveyer of the news a reward. This was done by Ka’b Ibn Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, when he received the good tidings that Allaah forgave him for not having participated in the battle of Tabook. A part of this story is: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, had informed the people about the acceptance of our repentance by Allaah after he had offered the Fajr prayer. So the people went on to give us glad tidings and some of them went to my companions in order to give them the glad tidings. A man spurred his horse towards me (to give the good news), and another one from the tribe of Aslam came running for the same purpose, and as he approached the mount, I received the good news which reached me before the rider did. When the one whose voice I had heard came to me to congratulate me, I took off my garments and gave them to him for the good news he brought to me. By Allaah, I possessed nothing else (in the form of clothes) except these garments, at that time. Then I borrowed two garments, dressed myself and came to the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam” Ka`b, may Allaah be pleased with him, further said: “I greeted the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, with `As-Salaamu `Alaykum’ and his face was beaming with pleasure. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Rejoice with the best day you have ever seen since your mother gave birth to you.” I said: `O Messenger of Allaah! Is this (good news) from you or from Allaah?` He said: “No, it is from Allaah.” And it was common with the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, that whenever he was happy, his face would glow as if it were a part of the moon and it was from this that we recognized it (his delight). As I sat before him, I said: `I have placed a condition upon myself that if Allaah accepts my repentance, I would give up all of my property in charity for the sake of Allaah and His Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam` Thereupon the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Keep some property with you, as it is better for you.” I said: `I shall keep with me that portion which is in Khaybar`. I added: `O Messenger of Allaah! Verily, Allaah has granted me salvation because of my truthfulness, and therefore, repentance obliges me to speak nothing but the truth as long as I am alive.`” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim].

Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said commenting on this story: “This story proves that rewarding the person who conveys good tidings to you is one of the noble qualities and praiseworthy characteristics” [End of quote]. Also, the person who conveys the good tidings may even request a gift from the person to whom the news has been conveyed, as the scholars stated.

· Falling to the position of prostration: Another one of the etiquettes is that one goes down in prostration upon receiving a glad tiding as a form of expressing gratitude to Allaah, as this was a common practice of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, whenever he received good news.

Also, when Ka’b, may Allaah be pleased with him, received the glad tidings of forgiveness, he did likewise, as he said: “When I heard the man shouting; `O Ka`b bin Maalik! Rejoice with the glad tidings.` I fell down in prostration and came to know that there was (a message of) relief for me”

From islamav.com