Ayah
Word by Word
مَّثَلُ
A parable
ٱلۡجَنَّةِ
(of) Paradise
ٱلَّتِي
which
وُعِدَ
is promised
ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَۖ
(to) the righteous
فِيهَآ
Therein
أَنۡهَٰرٞ
(are) rivers
مِّن
of
مَّآءٍ
water
غَيۡرِ
not
ءَاسِنٖ
polluted
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّن
of
لَّبَنٖ
milk
لَّمۡ
not
يَتَغَيَّرۡ
changes
طَعۡمُهُۥ
its taste
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّنۡ
of
خَمۡرٖ
wine
لَّذَّةٖ
delicious
لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ
to (the) drinkers
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّنۡ
of
عَسَلٖ
honey
مُّصَفّٗىۖ
purified
وَلَهُمۡ
and for them
فِيهَا
therein
مِن
of
كُلِّ
all
ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ
fruits
وَمَغۡفِرَةٞ
and forgiveness
مِّن
from
رَّبِّهِمۡۖ
their Lord
كَمَنۡ
like he who
هُوَ
like he who
خَٰلِدٞ
(will) abide forever
فِي
in
ٱلنَّارِ
the Fire
وَسُقُواْ
and they will be given to drink
مَآءً
water
حَمِيمٗا
boiling
فَقَطَّعَ
so it cuts into pieces
أَمۡعَآءَهُمۡ
their intestines
مَّثَلُ
A parable
ٱلۡجَنَّةِ
(of) Paradise
ٱلَّتِي
which
وُعِدَ
is promised
ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَۖ
(to) the righteous
فِيهَآ
Therein
أَنۡهَٰرٞ
(are) rivers
مِّن
of
مَّآءٍ
water
غَيۡرِ
not
ءَاسِنٖ
polluted
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّن
of
لَّبَنٖ
milk
لَّمۡ
not
يَتَغَيَّرۡ
changes
طَعۡمُهُۥ
its taste
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّنۡ
of
خَمۡرٖ
wine
لَّذَّةٖ
delicious
لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ
to (the) drinkers
وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ
and rivers
مِّنۡ
of
عَسَلٖ
honey
مُّصَفّٗىۖ
purified
وَلَهُمۡ
and for them
فِيهَا
therein
مِن
of
كُلِّ
all
ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ
fruits
وَمَغۡفِرَةٞ
and forgiveness
مِّن
from
رَّبِّهِمۡۖ
their Lord
كَمَنۡ
like he who
هُوَ
like he who
خَٰلِدٞ
(will) abide forever
فِي
in
ٱلنَّارِ
the Fire
وَسُقُواْ
and they will be given to drink
مَآءً
water
حَمِيمٗا
boiling
فَقَطَّعَ
so it cuts into pieces
أَمۡعَآءَهُمۡ
their intestines
Translation
(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?
Tafsir
A similitude, a description, of the Garden promised to the God-fearing: [the Garden] that is shared equally by all those who enter it (this first clause is the subject, of which the predicate [follows:]) therein are rivers of unstaling water (read aasin or asin, similar [in form] to daarib, 'striker', and hadhir, 'cautious'), that is to say, one that does not change, in contrast to the water of this world, which may change due to some factor; and rivers of milk unchanging in flavour, in contrast to the milk of this world, on account of its issuing from udders, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, in contrast to the wine of this world, which is distasteful to drink; and [also] rivers of purified honey, in contrast to the honey of this world, which when it issues out of the bellies of bees becomes mixed with wax and other elements; and there will be for them therein, varieties [of], every fruit and forgiveness from their Lord, for He is pleased with them, in addition to His beneficence towards them in the way mentioned, in contrast to one who is a master of servants in this world, who while being kind to them may at the same time be wrathful with them. [Is such a one] like him who abides in the Hellfire? (ka-man huwa khaalidun fee'l-naari, the predicate of an implied subject, which is a-man huwa fee haadha'l-na'eem, 'Is one who is amidst such bliss [as him who abides in the Hellfire]?'). And they will be given to drink boiling water which rips apart their bowels, that is, their entrails, so that these will be excreted from their rears. (Am'aa', 'bowels', is the plural of mi'an, its alif being derived from the yaa' of their saying mi'yaan [as an alternative singular to mi'an]).
Description of Paradise and Its Rivers
Allah then says
مَثَلُ الۡجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الۡمُتَّقُونَ
The description of Paradise which is promised for those who have Taqwa...
Ikrimah said,
مَثَلُ الۡجَنَّةِ
(The description of Paradise),
This means its description.
فِيهَا أَنۡهَارٌ مِّن مَّاء غَيۡرِ اسِنٍ
In it are rivers of water that are not Asin,
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah all said,
It does not change.
Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, and Ata' Al-Khurasani all said,
It is not foul-smelling.
The Arabs say Asin if its (water) scent changes.
وَأَنۡهَارٌ مِن لَّبَنٍ لَّمۡ يَتَغَيَّرۡ طَعۡمُهُ
rivers of milk, the taste of which never changes,
which means that the milk is of utmost whiteness, sweetness, and richness.
It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,
Their milk did not come out of the udders of cattle.
وَأَنۡهَارٌ مِّنۡ خَمۡرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ
rivers of wine delightful to those who drink it,
which means that the wine does not have a bad taste or foul smell like that of the worldly life. Rather, it is good in its appearance, taste, smell, and effect, as Allah says,
لَا فِيهَا غَوۡلٌ وَلَا هُمۡ عَنۡهَا يُنزَفُونَ
it (the wine) has no bad effects, nor does it cause intoxication. (37:47)
and,
لااَّ يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنۡهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ
From which (the wine) they will have no headache, nor will they be intoxicated. (56:19)
and,
بَيۡضَأءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّـرِبِينَ
white, delicious to the drinkers. (37:46)
It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,
Their wine was not pressed under men's feet.
وَأَنۡهَارٌ مِّنۡ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى
and rivers of refined honey;
which means that the honey is of utmost purity and pleasant color, taste, and smell.
It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet,
Their honey did not come out of the bellies of bees.
Imam Ahmad recorded from Hakim bin Mu`awiyah who narrated from his father that Allah's Messenger said,
فِي الۡجَنَّةِ بَحۡرُ اللَّبَنِ وَبَحۡرُ الۡمَاءِ وَبَحۡرُ الۡعَسَلِ وَبَحۡرُ الۡخَمۡرِ ثُمَّ تُشَقَّقُ الاَۡنۡهَارُ مِنۡهَا بَعۡد
Verily, there is in Paradise a lake of milk, a lake of water, a lake of honey, and a lake of wine. The rivers then gush out of them.
At-Tirmidhi reported this narration in his section of the Description of Paradise, and he said, Hasan Sahih.
In the Sahih, it is recorded that Allah's Messenger said,
إِذَا سَأَلۡتُمُ اللهَ تَعَالى فَاسۡأَلُوهُ الۡفِرۡدَوۡسَ فَإِنَّهُ أَوۡسَطُ الۡجَنَّةِ وَأَعۡلَى الۡجَنَّةِ وَمِنۡهُ تُفَجَّرُ أَنۡهَارُ الۡجَنَّةِ وَفَوۡقَهُ عَرۡشُ الرَّحۡمن
When you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, because it is the central and highest part of the Paradise, and from it gush the rivers of the Paradise and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.
Allah says,
وَلَهُمۡ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ
and therein for them are all kinds of fruits,
This similar to His saying,
يَدۡعُونَ فِيهَا بِكلِّ فَـكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ
They will call in it for every kind of fruit in peace and security. (44:55)
And His saying,
فِيهِمَا مِن كُلِّ فَـكِهَةٍ زَوۡجَانِ
In them will be every kind of fruits in pairs. (55:52)
Allah says
وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ
and forgiveness from their Lord.
meaning, in addition to all of the above.
Allah says,
كَمَنۡ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ
Can this be likened to those who abide eternally in the Fire?
meaning, `can those that We have described their position in the Paradise be like those who will abide eternally in the Fire?'
They are not equal, and nor are those who will be in the high ranks (in the Paradise) and those who will be in the lowest depths (Hell).
وَسُقُوا مَاء حَمِيمًا
and are given to drink boiling water,
meaning, extremely hot; so hot that it is unbearable.
فَقَطَّعَ أَمۡعَاءهُمۡ
that severs their intestines,
meaning, that will cut their insides -- both bowels and intestines.
We seek refuge in Allah from that.
The Description of the Situation of the Hypocrites and the Command to maintain Tawhid and seek Forgiveness
Allah says,
وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَسۡتَمِعُ إِلَيۡكَ
حَتَّى إِذَا خَرَجُوا مِنۡ عِندِكَ
And among them are some who listen to you till when they go out from you,
Allah describes the hypocrites' stupidity and limited understanding. They used to sit before Allah's Messenger and listen to his words without understanding anything. Then when they left from his presence,
قَالُوا لِلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الۡعِلۡمَ
they say to those who have received knowledge, (from the Companions).
مَاذَا قَالَ انِفًا
What is it that he has said just now?
meaning, at this moment. They did not understand what he said, nor did they care about it.
Allah says,
أُوۡلَيِكَ الَّذِينَ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمۡ وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهۡوَاءهُمۡ
Such are the men whose hearts Allah has sealed because they followed their lusts.
which means that they had neither sound understanding nor correct intentions.
Allah then says
وَالَّذِينَ اهۡتَدَوۡا زَادَهُمۡ هُدًى
And as for those who accept guidance, He increases them in guidance,
which means that those who seek guidance, Allah facilitates it for them; He guides them to it, makes them firm on it, and gives them more of it.
وَاتَاهُمۡ تَقۡواهُمۡ
and bestows on them their Taqwa.
meaning, He inspires them to their righteous guidance.
Allah then says
فَهَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ السَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةً
Do they then await except that the Hour should come upon them suddenly,
meaning, while they are unaware of it.
فَقَدۡ جَاء أَشۡرَاطُهَا
But already there have come (some of) its portents;
meaning, the signs of its approach.
This is similar to Allah's saying,
هَـذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ النُّذُرِ الاٍّوۡلَى
أَزِفَتِ الاٌّزِفَةُ
This is a warner of the warners of old. The approaching Day has drawn near. (53:56-57)
And His saying,
اقۡتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الۡقَمَرُ
The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split. (54:1)
And His saying,
أَتَى أَمۡرُ اللَّهِ فَلَ تَسۡتَعۡجِلُوهُ
The command of Allah is coming, so do not be impatient for it. (16:1)
And His saying,
اقۡتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَـبُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِى غَفۡلَةٍ مُّعۡرِضُونَ
The people's Day of Reckoning has approached while they turn away in heedlessness. (21:1)
Thus, the Messenger's advent is one of the signs of the Hour, because he is the Finality of the Messengers. With him, Allah has completed the religion and established the evidence against all people in a way that was never done by a previous Prophet. Allah's Messenger has most clearly informed about the signs and indications of the Hour, as we have discussed elsewhere. Al-
Bukhari recorded from Sahl bin Sa`d, may Allah be pleased with him, that he ﷺ Allah's Messenger bring his index and middle fingers together while he said,
بُعِثۡتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةَ كَهَاتَيۡن
I have been sent before the Hour as these two (fingers).
Allah continues,
فَأَنَّى لَهُمۡ إِذَا جَاءتۡهُمۡ ذِكۡرَاهُمۡ
and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their reminder?
meaning, how would remembering benefit the disbelievers when the Hour comes upon them
This is similar to Allah's saying,
يَوۡمَيِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ الاِنسَـنُ وَأَنَّى لَهُ الذِّكۡرَى
On that Day will the human being remember, but what would that remembrance avail him then? (89:23)
And His saying,
وَقَالُواۡ ءَامَنَّا بِهِ وَأَنَّى لَهُمُ التَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانِ بَعِيدٍ
They will say (in the Hereafter):Now we believe in it!
But how could they claim belief from such a far place? (34:52)
Allah then says
فَاعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ لَاا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
So know that La ilaha illallah,
This is a declaration that there is no true God except Allah. It is not something that is easy for him to command the people to have knowledge of. That is why Allah connected it with,
وَاسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنبِكَ وَلِلۡمُوۡمِنِينَ وَالۡمُوۡمِنَاتِ
and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and women.
In the Sahih, it is recorded that Allah's Messenger used to say,
اللۡهُمَّ اغۡفِرۡ لِي خَطِييَتِي وَجَهۡلِي وَإِسۡرَافِي فِي أَمۡرِي وَمَا أَنۡتَ أَعۡلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي
اللۡهُمَّ اغۡفِرۡ لِي هَزۡلِي وَجِدِّي وَخَطَيِي وَعَمۡدِي وَكُلُّ ذلِكَ عِنۡدِي
O Allah, forgive my sin, my ignorance, my immoderation in my affairs, and all that You know better about my (faults) than myself.
O Allah, forgive for me my joking, my seriousness, my unintended error, and my deliberate (mistakes) -- and I have done of all that.
It is also reported in the Sahih that he used to say at the end of the prayer,
اللۡهُمَّ اغۡفِرۡ لِي مَا قَدَّمۡتُ وَمَا أَخَّرۡتُ وَمَا أَسۡرَرۡتُ وَمَا أَعۡلَنۡتُ وَمَا أَسۡرَفۡتُ وَمَا أَنۡتَ أَعۡلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي أَنۡتَ إِلهِي لَا إِلهَ إِلاَّ أَنۡت
O Allah, forgive for me what I have previously done, what I may commit in future, what I have committed secretly, what I have committed openly, what I have done excessively, and all sins that You know better than me. You are my God. There is no (true) God except You.
It is also recorded in the Sahih that he used to say,
يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ تُوبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمۡ فَإِنِّي أَسۡتَغۡفِرُ اللهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيۡهِ فِي الۡيَوۡمِ أَكۡثَرَ مِنۡ سَبۡعِينَ مَرَّة
O people! Repent to your Lord! Verily, I ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times every day.
Allah then says,
وَاللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمۡ وَمَثۡوَاكُمۡ
And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest.
means, He knows how you behave during the day, and where you settle at night.
This is similar to His saying,
وَهُوَ الَّذِى يَتَوَفَّـكُم بِالَّيۡلِ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا جَرَحۡتُم بِالنَّهَارِ
It is He Who takes your souls by night and knows all that you do by day. (6:60)
And He says,
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الاٌّرۡضِ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزۡقُهَا وَيَعۡلَمُ مُسۡتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسۡتَوۡدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِى كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
And there is no moving creature on earth but its provision is up to Allah, and He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (before birth and after death) -- all is in a clear register. (11:6)
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