Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-Anfal -> Believers in Truth

After Allah affirmed the ruling of loyalty and protection between the believers in this life, He then mentioned their destination in the Hereafter. Allah also affirmed the faith of the believers, just as mentioned in the beginning of this Surah, and that He will reward them with forgiveness and by erasing their sins, if they have any. He also promised them honorable provisions that are abundant, pure, everlasting and eternal; provisions that never end or run out, nor will they ever cause boredom, for they are delightful and come in great varieties. Allah then mentioned that those who follow the path of the believers in faith and performing good deeds, will be with them in the Hereafter. Just as Allah said,

﴿وَالسَّـبِقُونَ الاٌّوَّلُونَ﴾

(And the foremost to embrace Islam...) ﴿9:100﴾, until the end of the Ayah. He also said,

﴿وَالَّذِينَ جَآءُوا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ﴾

(And those who came after them ...) ﴿59:10﴾.

A Hadith that is in the Two Sahihs, which is Mutawatir and has several authentic chains of narrations, mentions that the Messenger of Allah said,

«الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أَحَب»

(One will be in the company of those whom he loves.) Another Hadith states,

«مَنْ أَحَبَّ قَوْمًا فَهُوَ مِنْهُم»

(He who loves a people is one of them), and in another narration, he said,

«حُشِرَ مَعَهُم»

(...will be gathered with them (on the Day of Resurrection).)