The Hereafter
[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.
[17:20] For each one of them we provide; we provide those and these from your Lord’s bounties. Your Lord’s bounties are inexhaustible.
[17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant.
In 17:20 we see that God’s bounties are inexhaustible
[17:100] Proclaim, “If you possessed my Lord’s treasures of mercy, you would have withheld them, fearing that you might exhaust them. The human being is stingy.”
Bounty is not limited to material possessions it can be intelligence, wisdom, patience, etc. as well.
[2:269] He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
There are going to be stratifications between people in this life and in the Hereafter according to 17:21
[12:91] They said, “By GOD, GOD has truly preferred you over us. We were definitely wrong.”
[43:32] Are they the ones who assign your Lord’s mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.
[6:165] He is the One who made you inheritors of the earth, and He raised some of you above others in rank, in order to test you in accordance with what He has given you. Surely, your Lord is efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
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