The Family of Imran, The House of Imran — Verse 15

The True Value of This Earthly Life Allah mentions the delights that He put in this life for people, such as women and children, and He started with women, because the test with them is more tempting. For instance, the Sahih recorded that the Messenger ﷺ said, «مَا تَرَكْتُ بَعْدِي فِتْنَةً أَضَرَّ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ مِنَ النِّسَاء» (I did not leave behind me a test more tempting to men than women.) When one enjoys women for the purpose of having children and preserving his chastity, then he is encouraged to do so. There are many Hadiths that encourage getting married, such as, «وَإِنَّ خَيْرَ هذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ مَنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَهَا نِسَاء» (Verily, the best members of this Ummah are those who have the most wives) He also said, «الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِهَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَة» (This life is a delight, and the best of its delight is a righteous wife) The Prophet said in another Hadith, «حُبِّبَ إِلَيَّ النِّسَاءُ وَالطِّيبُ، وَجُعِلَتْ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاة» (I was made to like women and perfume, and the comfort of my eye is the prayer.) `A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "Nothing was more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than women, except horses," and in another narration, "...than horses except women." The desire to have children is sometimes for the purpose of pride and boasting, and as such, is a temptation. When the purpose for having children is to reproduce and increase the Ummah of Muhammad with those who worship Allah alone without partners, then it is encouraged and praised. A Hadith states, «تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة» (Marry the Wadud (kind) and Walud (fertile) woman, for I will compare your numbers to the rest of the nations on the Day of Resurrection.) The desire of wealth sometimes results out of arrogance, and the desire to dominate the weak and control the poor, and this conduct is prohibited. Sometimes, the want for more money is for the purpose of spending it on acts of worship, being kind to the family, the relatives, and spending on various acts of righteousness and obedience; this behavior is praised and encouraged in the religion. Scholars of Tafsir have conflicting opinions about the amount of the Qintar, all of which indicate that the Qintar is a large amount of money, as Ad-Dahhak and other scholars said. Abu Hurayrah said "The Qintar is twelve thousand Uwqiyah, each Uwqiyah is better than what is between the heavens and earth." This was recorded by Ibn Jarir . The desire to have horses can be one of three types. Sometimes, owners of horses collect them to be used in the cause of Allah, and when warranted, they use their horses in battle. This type of owner shall be rewarded for this good action. Another type collects horses to boast, and out of enmity to the people of Islam, and this type earns a burden for his behavior. Another type collects horses to fulfill their needs and to collect their offspring, and they do not forget Allah's right due on their horses. This is why in this case, these horses provide a shield of sufficiency for their owner, as evident by a Hadith that we will mention, Allah willing, when we explain Allah's statement, وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُمْ مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ (And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war.) 8:60. As for the Musawwamah horses, Ibn `Abbas said that they are the branded, beautiful horses. This is the same explanation of Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Abdur-Rahman bin `Abdullah bin Abza, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Abu Sinan and others. Makhul said the Musawwamah refers to the horse with a white spotted faced, and the horse with white feet. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَيْسَ مِنْ فَرَسٍ عَرَبِيَ إِلَّا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُ مَعَ كُلِّ فَجْرٍ يَدْعُو بِدَعْوَتَيْنِ يَقُولُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ خَوَّلْتَنِي مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ، فَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَحَبِّ مَالِهِ وَأَهْلِهِ إِلَيْهِ أَوْ أَحَبَّ أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ إِلَيْه» (Every Arabian horse is allowed to have two supplications every dawn, and the horse supplicates, `O Allah! You made me subservient to the son of Adam. Therefore, make me among the dearest of his wealth and household to him, or, ...make me the dearest of his household and wealth to him.) Allah's statement, وَالاٌّنْعَـمُ (Cattle) means, camels, cows and sheep. وَالْحَرْثِ (And fertile land) meaning, the land that is used to farm and grow plants. Allah then said, ذَلِكَ مَتَـعُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا (This is the pleasure of the present world's life) meaning, these are the delights of this life and its short lived joys, وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَأَبِ (But Allah has the excellent return with Him) meaning, the best destination and reward. The Reward of the Those Who Have Taqwa is Better Than All Joys of This World This is why Allah said, قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَلِكُمْ (Say: "Shall I inform you of things far better than those") This Ayah means, "Say, O Muhammad, to the people, `Should I tell you about what is better than the delights and joys of this life that will soon perish"' Allah informed them of what is better when He said, لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْاْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا الاٌّنْهَارُ (For those who have Taqwa there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow) meaning, rivers run throughout it. These rivers carry various types of drinks: honey, milk, wine and water such that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no heart has ever imagined, خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَآ (Therein (is their) eternal (home)) meaning, they shall remain in it forever and ever and will not want to be removed from it. وَأَزْوَجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ (And Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives)) meaning, from filth, dirt, harm, menstruation, post birth bleeding, and other things that affect women in this world. وَرِضْوَنٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ (And Allah will be pleased with them) meaning, Allah's pleasure will descend on them and He shall never be angry with them after that. This is why Allah said in in Surah Bara`ah, وَرِضْوَنٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ (But the pleasure of Allah is greater) 9:72, meaning, greater than the eternal delight that He has granted them. Allah then said, وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ (And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) servants) and, He gives each provisions according to what they deserve.

Say O Muhammad (s) to your people ‘Shall I tell you shall I inform you of something better than that? that which has been mentioned of lusts this interrogative is meant as an affirmative. For those that are fearful of idolatry with their Lord ‘inda rabbihim is the predicate the subject being the following jannātun…’ are Gardens underneath which rivers flow abiding therein decreed for them therein is eternal life when they enter it and spouses purified of menstruation and other impurities and beatitude read ridwān or rudwān meaning ‘much pleasure’ from God; and God is Seer knower of His servants requiting each of them according to his deeds.

Shall I tell you of something better than that? For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses made pure, and approval from God. After talking about the enemies, describing their life, and explaining their furthest goal, God in this verse comes back to the story of the friends. Tomorrow, the final outcome of those whose watch- word today is godwariness will be paradise and approval. He says, “For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens.” Just as godwariness has levels, so also paradise has degrees. The first degree is the Garden of the Shelter, and the first level of godwariness is to avoid the forbidden and the soul's caprice. The Splendorous Qur'an ties the two together in its words, “As for him who fears the standing place be- fore his Lord and prohibits the soul its caprice, surely the Garden shall be the shelter” [79:40-41]. The highest degree is the Garden of Eden, and better than the Garden of Eden is the Greatest Approval. So, the furthest goal of the paradise-dwellers is the Greatest Approval, just as the Lord of the Worlds says: “And goodly dwellings in the gardens of Eden; and approval from God is greatest” [9:72] The Greatest Approval belongs to those who reach the utmost godwariness. The utmost god- wariness is that someone takes whatever has the scar of new arrival and the mark of creation as his own enemy, as Abraham said: “Surely they are an enemy to me, save the Lord of the Worlds” [26:77]. You must turn away from all things and, with detached heart, busy yourself with the suf- fering of passion for the Haqiqah. You must know for certain that the intrusion of others finds no room in passion's suffering. You must cut off your heart and spirit from everything. The heart is Your garden-take it all, for this heart has room either for my intrusion or Your image. In gratitude I will also send my spirit to You- a whiff of union with You does what a hundred spirits cannot. Tomorrow, all will be taken to the furthest limit of their goals and aspirations. Here someone hopes for the Garden of the Refuge and is told, “Flee from the unlawful and be just, and that will not be held back from you. ” Someone hopes for the Abode of Everlastingness and is told, “Avoid the doubtful and be a renunciant, and that will not be held back from you.” Someone else desires Firdaws and is told, “Keep back from the lawful and be a recognizer, and that will not be held back from you.” A group remain who have no hopes and no desires. They desire what the Beloved desires and choose what the Beloved chooses. The paradises are presented to them, and the maidens and serv- ing boys are made to sit on the turrets scattering precious gifts for them, but they are detached from it all and turn their faces away. They say, “If we must give our heart to someone, well, let us give it to someone who will enslave it.” Suddenly I gave my heart to the one with the tulip face. She was worthy of my heart-that's why I gave it. Let me now speak of the Greatest Approval and finish with that. It is narrated from Anas ibn Mālik that he said one day God's Messenger kept them waiting. When he came out, they asked him what had held him back. He said, “That was because Gabriel came to me holding in his hand something like a mirror with a black spot. He said, 'This is Friday, within which there is an hour of good for you and your community. The Jews and the Christians desired it, but they missed its mark.' “I said, 'O Gabriel! What is this black spot?' “He said, 'It is an hour of Friday with which no Muslim will keep company asking for good from God without God's giving it to him, or storing away the like of it for him for the Day of Res- urrection, or averting from him its like in ugliness. It is the best of days with God, and the folk of the Garden call it “the Day of Increase.”' “I said, 'O Gabriel, and what is this Day of Increase?' “He said, 'Surely there is in the Garden a valley in which flows white musk. Every Friday God descends into it and sets up His Footstool. Then pulpits of light are brought and placed be- hind it and surrounded by the angels. Then footstools of gold are brought and put there. Then the prophets, the sincerely truthful, the witnesses, and the faithful, who are the folk of the chambers, are brought and they sit. Then God smiles and says, “O My servants, ask of Me!” They will say, “We ask You for Your approval. He will say, “I have approved of you.”'”

Shall I tell you of something better than that? For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses made pure, and approval from God. After talking about the enemies, describing their life, and explaining their furthest goal, God in this verse comes back to the story of the friends. Tomorrow, the final outcome of those whose watch- word today is godwariness will be paradise and approval. He says, “For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens.” Just as godwariness has levels, so also paradise has degrees. The first degree is the Garden of the Shelter, and the first level of godwariness is to avoid the forbidden and the soul's caprice. The Splendorous Qur'an ties the two together in its words, “As for him who fears the standing place be- fore his Lord and prohibits the soul its caprice, surely the Garden shall be the shelter” [79:40-41]. The highest degree is the Garden of Eden, and better than the Garden of Eden is the Greatest Approval. So, the furthest goal of the paradise-dwellers is the Greatest Approval, just as the Lord of the Worlds says: “And goodly dwellings in the gardens of Eden; and approval from God is greatest” [9:72] The Greatest Approval belongs to those who reach the utmost godwariness. The utmost god- wariness is that someone takes whatever has the scar of new arrival and the mark of creation as his own enemy, as Abraham said: “Surely they are an enemy to me, save the Lord of the Worlds” [26:77]. You must turn away from all things and, with detached heart, busy yourself with the suf- fering of passion for the Haqiqah. You must know for certain that the intrusion of others finds no room in passion's suffering. You must cut off your heart and spirit from everything. The heart is Your garden-take it all, for this heart has room either for my intrusion or Your image. In gratitude I will also send my spirit to You- a whiff of union with You does what a hundred spirits cannot. Tomorrow, all will be taken to the furthest limit of their goals and aspirations. Here someone hopes for the Garden of the Refuge and is told, “Flee from the unlawful and be just, and that will not be held back from you. ” Someone hopes for the Abode of Everlastingness and is told, “Avoid the doubtful and be a renunciant, and that will not be held back from you.” Someone else desires Firdaws and is told, “Keep back from the lawful and be a recognizer, and that will not be held back from you.” A group remain who have no hopes and no desires. They desire what the Beloved desires and choose what the Beloved chooses. The paradises are presented to them, and the maidens and serv- ing boys are made to sit on the turrets scattering precious gifts for them, but they are detached from it all and turn their faces away. They say, “If we must give our heart to someone, well, let us give it to someone who will enslave it.” Suddenly I gave my heart to the one with the tulip face. She was worthy of my heart-that's why I gave it. Let me now speak of the Greatest Approval and finish with that. It is narrated from Anas ibn Mālik that he said one day God's Messenger kept them waiting. When he came out, they asked him what had held him back. He said, “That was because Gabriel came to me holding in his hand something like a mirror with a black spot. He said, 'This is Friday, within which there is an hour of good for you and your community. The Jews and the Christians desired it, but they missed its mark.' “I said, 'O Gabriel! What is this black spot?' “He said, 'It is an hour of Friday with which no Muslim will keep company asking for good from God without God's giving it to him, or storing away the like of it for him for the Day of Res- urrection, or averting from him its like in ugliness. It is the best of days with God, and the folk of the Garden call it “the Day of Increase.”' “I said, 'O Gabriel, and what is this Day of Increase?' “He said, 'Surely there is in the Garden a valley in which flows white musk. Every Friday God descends into it and sets up His Footstool. Then pulpits of light are brought and placed be- hind it and surrounded by the angels. Then footstools of gold are brought and put there. Then the prophets, the sincerely truthful, the witnesses, and the faithful, who are the folk of the chambers, are brought and they sit. Then God smiles and says, “O My servants, ask of Me!” They will say, “We ask You for Your approval. He will say, “I have approved of you.”'”

Shall I tell you of something better than that? For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses made pure, and approval from God. After talking about the enemies, describing their life, and explaining their furthest goal, God in this verse comes back to the story of the friends. Tomorrow, the final outcome of those whose watch- word today is godwariness will be paradise and approval. He says, “For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens.” Just as godwariness has levels, so also paradise has degrees. The first degree is the Garden of the Shelter, and the first level of godwariness is to avoid the forbidden and the soul's caprice. The Splendorous Qur'an ties the two together in its words, “As for him who fears the standing place be- fore his Lord and prohibits the soul its caprice, surely the Garden shall be the shelter” [79:40-41]. The highest degree is the Garden of Eden, and better than the Garden of Eden is the Greatest Approval. So, the furthest goal of the paradise-dwellers is the Greatest Approval, just as the Lord of the Worlds says: “And goodly dwellings in the gardens of Eden; and approval from God is greatest” [9:72] The Greatest Approval belongs to those who reach the utmost godwariness. The utmost god- wariness is that someone takes whatever has the scar of new arrival and the mark of creation as his own enemy, as Abraham said: “Surely they are an enemy to me, save the Lord of the Worlds” [26:77]. You must turn away from all things and, with detached heart, busy yourself with the suf- fering of passion for the Haqiqah. You must know for certain that the intrusion of others finds no room in passion's suffering. You must cut off your heart and spirit from everything. The heart is Your garden-take it all, for this heart has room either for my intrusion or Your image. In gratitude I will also send my spirit to You- a whiff of union with You does what a hundred spirits cannot. Tomorrow, all will be taken to the furthest limit of their goals and aspirations. Here someone hopes for the Garden of the Refuge and is told, “Flee from the unlawful and be just, and that will not be held back from you.

Shall I tell you of something better than that? For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses made pure, and approval from God. After talking about the enemies, describing their life, and explaining their furthest goal, God in this verse comes back to the story of the friends. Tomorrow, the final outcome of those whose watch- word today is godwariness will be paradise and approval. He says, “For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens.” Just as godwariness has levels, so also paradise has degrees. The first degree is the Garden of the Shelter, and the first level of godwariness is to avoid the forbidden and the soul's caprice. The Splendorous Qur'an ties the two together in its words, “As for him who fears the standing place be- fore his Lord and prohibits the soul its caprice, surely the Garden shall be the shelter” [79:40-41]. The highest degree is the Garden of Eden, and better than the Garden of Eden is the Greatest Approval. So, the furthest goal of the paradise-dwellers is the Greatest Approval, just as the Lord of the Worlds says: “And goodly dwellings in the gardens of Eden; and approval from God is greatest” [9:72] The Greatest Approval belongs to those who reach the utmost godwariness. The utmost god- wariness is that someone takes whatever has the scar of new arrival and the mark of creation as his own enemy, as Abraham said: “Surely they are an enemy to me, save the Lord of the Worlds” [26:77]. You must turn away from all things and, with detached heart, busy yourself with the suf- fering of passion for the Haqiqah. You must know for certain that the intrusion of others finds no room in passion's suffering. You must cut off your heart and spirit from everything. The heart is Your garden-take it all, for this heart has room either for my intrusion or Your image. In gratitude I will also send my spirit to You- a whiff of union with You does what a hundred spirits cannot. Tomorrow, all will be taken to the furthest limit of their goals and aspirations. Here someone hopes for the Garden of the Refuge and is told, “Flee from the unlawful and be just, and that will not be held back from you.

Shall I tell you of something better than that? For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses made pure, and approval from God.After talking about the enemies, describing their life, and explaining their furthest goal, God in this verse comes back to the story of the friends. Tomorrow, the final outcome of those whose watch- word today is godwariness will be paradise and approval. He says, �For those who are godwary there shall be with their Lord gardens.�Just as godwariness has levels, so also paradise has degrees. The first degree is the Garden of the Shelter, and the first level of godwariness is to avoid the forbidden and the soul's caprice. The Splendorous Qur'an ties the two together in its words, �As for him who fears the standing place be- fore his Lord and prohibits the soul its caprice, surely the Garden shall be the shelter� [79:40-41]. The highest degree is the Garden of Eden, and better than the Garden of Eden is the Greatest Approval. So, the furthest goal of the paradise-dwellers is the Greatest Approval, just as the Lord of the Worlds says: �And goodly dwellings in the gardens of Eden; and approval from God isgreatest� [9:72]The Greatest Approval belongs to those who reach the utmost godwariness. The utmost god- wariness is that someone takes whatever has the scar of new arrival and the mark of creation as his own enemy, as Abraham said: �Surely they are an enemy to me, save the Lord of the Worlds� [26:77]. You must turn away from all things and, with detached heart, busy yourself with the suf- fering of passion for the Haqiqah. You must know for certain that the intrusion of others finds no room in passion's suffering. You must cut off your heart and spirit from everything.The heart is Your garden-take it all, for this heart has room either for my intrusion or Your image.In gratitude I will also send my spirit to You-a whiff of union with You does what a hundred spirits cannot.Tomorrow, all will be taken to the furthest limit of their goals and aspirations. Here someone hopes for the Garden of the Refuge and is told, �Flee from the unlawful and be just, and that will not be held back from you.

قل -أيها الرسول-: أأخبركم بخير مما زُيِّن للنَّاس في هذه الحياة الدنيا، لمن راقب الله وخاف عقابه جنات تجري من تحت قصورها وأشجارها الأنهار، خالدين فيها، ولهم فيها أزواج مطهرات من الحيض والنفاس وسوء الخلق، ولهم أعظم من ذلك: رضوان من الله. والله مطَّلِع على سرائر خلقه، عالم بأحوالهم، وسيجازيهم على ذلك.

ولهذا قال تعالى "قل أؤنبئكم بخير من ذلكم" أي قل يا محمد للناس أؤخبركم بخير مما زين للناس في هذه الحياة الدنيا من زهرتها ونعيمها الذي هو زائل لا محالة ثم أخبر عن ذلك فقال "للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار" أي تنخرق بين جوانبها وأرجائها الأنهار من أنواع الأشربة من العسل واللبن والخمر والماء وغير ذلك مما لا عين رأت ولا أذن سمعت ولا خطر على قلب بشر "خالدين فيها" أي ماكثين فيها أبد الآباد لا يبغون عنها حولا "وأزواج مطهرة" أي من الدنس والخبث والأذى والحيض والنفاس وغير ذلك مما يعتري نساء الدنيا "ورضوان من الله" أي يحل عليهم رضوانه فلا يسخط عليهم بعده أبدا ولهذا قال تعالى في الآية الأخرى التي في براءة "ورضوان من الله أكبر" أي أعظم مما أعطاهم من النعيم المقيم ثم قال تعالى "والله بصير بالعباد" أي يعطي كلا بحسب ما يستحقه من العطاء.

أى قل يا محمد للناس الذين مالوا إلى شهوات الدنيا من النساء والبنين وغيرهما ، قل لهم ألا تحبون أن أخبركم بما هو خير من تلك المشتهيات الدنيوية؟والاستفهام للتقرير ، والمراد به التحقيق والتثبيت في نفوس المخاطبين ، أى تحقيق وتثبيت خيرية ما عند الله وأفضليته على شهوات الدنيا ، وحضهم على الاستجابة لما سيلقى عليهم .وافتتح الكلام بكلمة { قُلْ } للاهتمام بالمقول وتنبيه السامعين إلى أن ما سيلقى عليهم أمر يهمهم ومما يقوى هذا التنبيه هنا : التعبير بقوله { أَؤُنَبِّئُكُمْ } لأن الإنباء معناه الخبر العظيم الشأن ، والتعبير بقوله { ذلكم } لاشتماله على الإشارة التى للبعيد الدالة على عظم شأن ما سيخبرهم به ، والتعبير بقوله { بِخَيْرٍ } الذى يدل على الأفضلية ، لأن نعيم الآخرة خير محض ونعيم الدنيا مشوب بالشرور والأضرار . ثم بين - سبحانه - المخبر عنه بعد أن مهد له بتلك التنبيهات التي تشوق إلى سماعه وتغرى بالاستجابة له فقال : { لِلَّذِينَ اتقوا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأنهار خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ الله } .هذه هى اللذائذ والمتع التى أعدها الله - تعالى - لمن اتقاه ، أى أدى ما أمره به ، وابتعد عما نهاه عنه .وأول هذه النعم : { جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأنهار } أى بساتين تجرى من تحت أشجارها الأنهار ، وفى هذه الجنات مالا عين رأت ، ولا أذن سمعت ، ولا خطر على قلب بشر .وقوله { لِلَّذِينَ اتقوا } ، خبر مقدم ، وقوله { جَنَّاتٌ } مبتدأ مؤخر ، وقوله { عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ } في محل نصب على الحال من جنات . وقوله { تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأنهار } صفة لجنات .وعلى هذا يكون منتهى الاستفهام عند قوله { مِّن ذلكم } وهذا هو المشهور عند العلماء . ومنهم من يجعل الاستفهام منتهيا عند قوله { لِلَّذِينَ اتقوا } ثم يبتدأ فيقال : عند ربهم جنات تجرى من تحتها الأنهار . ومنهم من يجعل الاستفهام منتهيا عند قوله - تعالى - { عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ } ثم يبدأ فيقال : جنات تجرى من تحتها الأنهار .قال ابن جرير : وأولى هذه الأقوال بالصواب قول من جعل الاستفهام منتهيا عند قوله - تعالى - { بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذلكم } والخبر بعده مبتدأ عمن له الجنات بقوله : { ذِينَ اتقوا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأنهار } فيكون مخرج ذلك مخرج الخير . وهو إبانة عن معنى الخير الذى قال : أنبئكم به ، فلا يكون بالكلام حينئذ حاجة إلى ضمير " .وثانى هذه النعم عبر عنه - سبحانه - بقوله { خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا } أى أن هؤلاء الذين اتقوا ربهم خالدين في تلك الجنات التي فيها ما تشتهيه الأنفس وتلذ الأعين خلوداً أبدياً ، بخلاف أولئك المنعمين بنعم الدنيا فإن نعيمهم إلى فناء وزوال .وثالث هذه النعم قوله - تعالى - { وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ } .والأزواج : جمع زوجهة وهي المرأة يختص بها الرجل . أى ولهم في تلك الجنات أزواج مطهرة غاية التطهير من كل دنس وقذر حسى ومعنوى ، فقد وصف - سبحانه - هؤلاء الأزواج بصفة واحدة جامعة لكل ما يتمناه الرجل في المرأة .ورابع هذه النعم قوله - تعالى - { وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ الله } وهذه النعمة هي أعظم النعم وأجلها أى لهم رضا عظيم من خالق الخلق ، ومبدع الكون ، ومنشىء الوجود . وهو مصدر كالرضا ، ولكن يزيد عليه أنه الرضا العظيم ، لأن زيادة المبنى تدل على زيادة المعنى ، ولأن التنكير قصد به التفخيم والتعظيم .وقوله { مِّنَ الله } صفة لرضوان مؤكدة لما أفاده التنكير من الفخامة .روى الشيخان عن أبي سعيد الخدرى أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " إن الله - عزو وجل - يقول لأهل الجنة يوم القيامة : يا أهل الجنة فيقولون : لبيك ربنا وسعديك ، فيقول : هل رضيتم؟ فيقولون : وما لنا لا نرضى وقد أعطيتنا ولم تعط أحداً من خلقك؟ فيقول : أنا اعطيكم أفضل من ذلك؟ قالوا : يا ربنا رأى شيء أفضل من ذلك؟ فيقول : أحل عليكم رضوانى فلا أسخط عليكم بعده أبداً " .هذه هى اللذائذ والمتع والنعم التى أعدها الله - تعالى - لعباده المتقين .ثم ختم - سبحانه - الآية بقوله : { والله بَصِيرٌ بالعباد } أي أنه - سبحانه - عليم بأحوال عباده ، لا تخفى عليه خافية من شئونهم . وسيجازى الذين أساءوا بما عملوا ، ويجازى الذين أحسنوا بالحسنى . ففي هذا التذييل وعد للمتقين ووعيد للمسيئين .

القول في تأويل قوله : قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ ذَلِكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ (15)قال أبو جعفر: يعني جل ثناؤه: قل، يا محمد، للناس الذين زُيِّن لهم حب الشهوات من النساء والبنين، وسائر ما ذكر ربنا جل ثناؤه: " أؤنبئكم "، أأخبركم وأعلمكم (87) =" بخير من ذلكم "، يعني: بخير وأفضل لكم =" من &; 6-260 &; ذلكم "، يعني: مما زُيِّن لكم في الدنيا حبُّ شهوته من النساء والبنين والقناطير المقنطرة من الذهب والفضة، وأنواع الأموال التي هي متاع الدنيا.* * *ثم اختلف أهل العربية في الموضع الذي تناهى إليه الاستفهام من هذا الكلام.فقال بعضهم: تناهى ذلك عند قوله: " من ذلكم "، ثم ابتدأ الخبر عما للذين اتقوا عند ربهم، فقيل: " للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جناتٌ تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها "، فلذلك رفع " الجنات ".* * *ومن قال هذا القول لم يجز في قوله: " جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار " إلا الرفع، وذلك أنه خبر مبتدأ غيرُ مردود على قوله: " بخير "، فيكون الخفض فيه جائزا. وهو وإن كان خبرًا مبتدأ عندهم، ففيه إبانة عن معنى " الخير " الذي أمر الله عز وجل نبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقول: للناس: أؤنبئكم به؟" والجنات " على هذا القول مرفوعة باللام التي في قوله: " للذين اتقوا عند ربهم ".* * *وقال آخرون منهم بنحو من هذا القول، إلا أنهم قالوا: إن جعلت اللام التي في قوله: " للذين " من صلة " الإنباء "، جاز في" الجنات " الخفض والرفع: الخفضُ على الرد على " الخير "، والرفع على أن يكون قوله: " للذين اتقوا " خبرَ مبتدأ، على ما قد بيَّناه قبلُ.* * *وقال آخرون: بل منتهى الاستفهام قوله: " عند ربهم "، ثم ابتدأ: " جناتٌ تجري من تحتها الأنهار ". وقالوا: تأويل الكلام: " قل أؤنبئكم بخير من ذلكم للذين اتقوا عند ربهم "، ثم كأنه قيل: " ماذا لهم ". أو: " ما ذاك "؟ (88) فقال: هو " جناتٌ تجري من تحتها الأنهار "، الآية.* * *&; 6-261 &;قال أبو جعفر: وأولى هذه الأقوال عندي بالصواب، قولُ من جعل الاستفهام متناهيًا عند قوله: " بخير من ذلكم "، والخبر بعده مبتدأ عمن له الجنات بقوله: " للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات "، فيكون مخرج ذلك مخرج الخبر، وهو إبانة عن معنى " الخير " الذي قال: أؤنبئكم به؟ (89) فلا يكون بالكلام حينئذ حاجة إلى ضمير. قال أبو جعفر محمد بن جرير الطبري: وأما قوله: " خالدين فيها "، فمنصوب على القطع (90)* * *ومعنى قوله: " للذين اتقوا "، للذين خافوا الله فأطاعوه بأداء فرائضه واجتناب معاصيه. (91) =" عند ربهم "، يعني بذلك: لهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار عند ربهم.* * *" والجنات "، البساتين، وقد بينا ذلك بالشواهد فيما مضى = وأنّ قوله: " تجري من تحتها الأنهار "، يعني به: من تحت الأشجار، وأن " الخلود " فيها دوام البقاء فيها، وأن " الأزواج المطهرة "، هن نساء الجنة اللواتي طُهِّرن من كل &; 6-262 &; أذًى يكون بنساء أهل الدنيا، من الحيض والمنىّ والبوْل والنفاس وما أشبه ذَلك من الأذى = بما أغنى عن إعادته في هذا الموضع. (92)* * *وقوله: " ورِضْوَانٌ من الله "، يعني: ورضى الله، وهو مصدر من قول القائل: " رَضي الله عن فلان فهو يَرْضى عنه رضًى " منقوص " ورِضْوانًا ورُضْوانًا ومَرْضاةً". فأما " الرُّضوان " بضم الراء، فهو لغة قيس، وبه كان عاصم يقرأ.* * *قال أبو جعفر: وإنما ذكر الله جل ثناؤه فيما ذكر للذين اتقوا عنده من الخير = رضْوانَه، لأن رضوانه أعلى منازل كرامة أهل الجنة، كما:-6751 - حدثنا ابن بشار قال، حدثني أبو أحمد الزبيري قال، حدثنا سفيان، عن محمد بن المنكدر، عن جابر بن عبد الله قال: إذا دخل أهلُ الجنة الجنة، قال الله تبارك وتعالى: أعطيكم أفضلَ من هذا! فيقولون: أيْ ربنا، أيّ شيء أفضل من هذا؟ قال: رِضْواني. (93)* * *وقوله: " والله بصير بالعباد "، يعني بذلك: واللهُ ذو بصر بالذي يتقيه من عباده فيخافه، (94) فيطيعه، ويؤثر ما عنده مما ذكر أنه أعدّه للذين اتقوه على حُبّ ما زُيِّنَ له في عاجل الدنيا من شهوات النساء والبنين وسائر ما عدّد منها تعالى &; 6-263 &; ذكره = وبالذي لا يتقيه فيخافه، ولكنه يعصيه ويطيع الشيطان ويؤثر ما زيِّن له في الدنيا من حب شهوة النساء والبنين والأموال، على ما عنده من النعيم المقيم = عالمٌ تعالى ذكره بكلّ فريق منهم، حتى يجازي كلَّهم عند معادهم إليه جزاءَهم، المحسنَ بإحسانه، والمسيءَ بإساءته.* * *------------------------الهوامش:(87) انظر تفسير"أنبأ" فيما سلف 1: 488 ، 489.(88) في المطبوعة والمخطوطة بعد هذا ، وقيل قوله: "فقال: هو جنات..." ما نصه: "أو على أنه يقال: ماذا لهم؟ أو ما ذاك؟" ومن البين أن هذا تكرار لا معنى له ، وأنه من سهو الناسخ الكثير السهو. فمن أجل ذلك طرحته من المتن.(89) في المخطوطة والمطبوعة: "أنبئكم به" ، والصواب ما أثبت ، وانظر تفصيل ذلك في معاني القرآن للفراء 1: 195-198.(90) عند هذا انتهى آخر جزء من التقسيم القديم الذي نقلت عنه نسختنا ، وفيها ما نصه:"يتلوه: وأما قوله: {خالدين فيها} فمنصوب على القطع.وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد النبيّ وعلى آله الطاهرين وسَلّم كثيرًا"ويتلوه ما نصه:"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم"."القطع" ، يعني: الحال ، كما بينت في 2: 392 ، والمراجع هناك ، وانظر فهرس المصطلحات في الأجزاء السالفة. ثم انظر ما سيأتي: ص 270 ، تعليق: 3 .(91) انظر تفسير"اتقى" في فهارس اللغة مادة"وقى".(92) انظر تفسير"الجنة" فيما سلف 1: 384 / ثم 5: 535 ، 542 = وتفسير"الخلود" فيما سلف 1: 397 ، 398 / 2: 286 / 4: 317 / 5: 429 = وتفسير"الأزواج المطهرة" فيما سلف 1: 395-397.(93) الأثر: 6751- هذا خبر غير مرفوع ، ولكن شاهده من المرفوع ما رواه البخاري عن أبي سعيد الخدري قال: "قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله يقول لأهل الجنة: يا أهل الجنة! يقولون: لبيك ربنا وسعديك! فيقول: هل رضيتم؟ فيقولون: وما لنا لا نرضى ، وقد أعطيتنا ما لم تعط أحدًا من خلقك! فيقول: أنا أعطيكم أفضل من ذلك! قالوا: يا رب ، وأي شيء أفضل من ذلك؟ فيقول: أحل عليكم رضواني ، فلا أسخط عليكم أبدًا".وقد أشار الحافظ ابن حجر إلى حديث جابر في الفتح 11: 364 ، وقال: عند البزار وصححه ابن حبان". ولم أجد لفظه.(94) انظر تفسير"بصير" فيما سلف 2: 140 ، 376 ، 506 / ثم 5: 76 ، 167.

قوله تعالى ( قل أؤنبئكم بخير من ذلكم للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها وأزواج مطهرة ورضوان من الله ) قرأه العامة بكسر الراء ، وروى أبو بكر عن عاصم بضم الراء ، وهما لغتان كالعدوان والعدوان .أخبرنا عبد الواحد بن أحمد المليحي ، أنا أحمد بن عبد الله النعيمي ، أنا محمد بن يوسف ، أنا محمد بن إسماعيل ، أنا يحيى بن سليمان ، حدثني ابن وهب ، حدثني مالك عن زيد بن أسلم عن عطاء بن يسار عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال : قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم " إن الله تبارك وتعالى يقول لأهل الجنة : يا أهل الجنة فيقولون : لبيك ربنا وسعديك والخير كله في يديك ، فيقول : هل رضيتم؟ فيقولون وما لنا لا نرضى يا رب وقد أعطيتنا ما لم تعط أحدا من خلقك؟ فيقول : ألا أعطيكم أفضل من ذلك؟ فيقولون : يا رب وأي شيء أفضل من ذلك؟ فيقول : أحل عليكم رضواني فلا أسخط عليكم بعده أبدا " .

استئناف بياني ، فإنّه نشأ عن قوله : { زين للناس } [ آل عمران : 14 ] المقتضي أنّ الكلام مسوق مساق الغضّ من هذه الشهوات . وافتتح الاستئناف بكلمة { قل } للاهتمام بالمقول ، والمخاطب بقل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم والاستفهام للعرض تشويقاً من نفوس المخاطبين إلى تلقّي ما سيقصّ عليهم كقوله تعالى : { هل أدلكم على تجارة تنجيكم من عذاب أليم } [ الصف : 10 ] الآية .وقرأ نافع ، وابن كثير ، وأبو عمر ، وأبو جعفر ، ورُويس عن يعقوبَ : { أُونّبئكم } بتسهيل الهمزة الثانية واوَا . وقرأه ابن عامر ، وحمزة ، وعاصم ، والكسائي ، ورَوح عن يعقوب ، وخلفٌ : بتخفيف الهمزتين .وجملة { للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات } مستأنفة وهي المنبَّأ به . ويجوز أن يكون { للذين اتقوا } متعلقاً بقوله : «خيرٍ» و «جنّات» مبتدأ محذوف الخبر : أي لهم ، أو خبراً لمبتدأ محذوف . وقد ألغي ما يقابل شهوات الدنيا في ذكر نعيم الآخرة؛ لأنّ لذة البنين ولذة المال هنالك مفقودة ، للاستغناء عنها ، وكذلك لذة الخيل والأنعام؛ إذ لا دوابّ في الجنة ، فبقي ما يقابل النساء والحرث ، وهو الجنّات وَالأزواج ، لأنّ بهما تمام النعيم والتأنّس ، وزيد عليهما رضوان الله الذي حرُمه من جعل حظّه لذّات الدنيا وأعرض عن الآخرة . ومعنى المطهّرة المنزّهة ممّا يعتري نساء البشر ممّا تشمئزّ مِنه النفوس ، فالطهارة هنا حسية لا معنوية .وعطف { رضوانٌ من الله } على ما أعدّ للذين اتّقوا عند الله : لأنّ رضوانه أعظم من ذلك النعيم المادي؛ لأنّ رضوان الله تقريب رُوحاني قال تعالى : { ورضوان من الله أكبر } [ التوبة : 72 ] وقرأ الجمهور : { رِضوان } بكسر الراء وقرأه أبو بكر عن عاصم : بضم الراء وهما لغتان .وأظهر اسم الجلالة في قوله : { ورضوان من الله } ، دون أن يقول ورضوان منه أي من ربّهم : لما في اسم الجلالة من الإيماء إلى عظمة ذلك الرضوان .وجملة { والله بصير بالعباد } اعتراض لبيان الوعد أي أنّه عليم بالذين اتّقوا ومراتببِ تقواهم ، فهو يجازيهم ، ولتضمّن بصير معنى عليم عدي بالباء . وإظهار اسم الجلالة في قوله : { واللَّه بصير بالعباد } لقصد استقلال الجملة لتكون كالمَثَل .

يخبر تعالى أنه زين للناس حب الشهوات الدنيوية، وخص هذه الأمور المذكورة لأنها أعظم شهوات الدنيا وغيرها تبع لها، قال تعالى { إنا جعلنا ما على الأرض زينة لها } فلما زينت لهم هذه المذكورات بما فيها من الدواعي المثيرات، تعلقت بها نفوسهم ومالت إليها قلوبهم، وانقسموا بحسب الواقع إلى قسمين: قسم: جعلوها هي المقصود، فصارت أفكارهم وخواطرهم وأعمالهم الظاهرة والباطنة لها، فشغلتهم عما خلقوا لأجله، وصحبوها صحبة البهائم السائمة، يتمتعون بلذاتها ويتناولون شهواتها، ولا يبالون على أي: وجه حصلوها، ولا فيما أنفقوها وصرفوها، فهؤلاء كانت زادا لهم إلى دار الشقاء والعناء والعذاب، والقسم الثاني: عرفوا المقصود منها وأن الله جعلها ابتلاء وامتحانا لعباده، ليعلم من يقدم طاعته ومرضاته على لذاته وشهواته، فجعلوها وسيلة لهم وطريقا يتزودن منها لآخرتهم ويتمتعون بما يتمتعون به على وجه الاستعانة به على مرضاته، قد صحبوها بأبدانهم وفارقوها بقلوبهم، وعلموا أنها كما قال الله فيها { ذلك متاع الحياة الدنيا } فجعلوها معبرا إلى الدار الآخرة ومتجرا يرجون بها الفوائد الفاخرة، فهؤلاء صارت لهم زادا إلى ربهم. وفي هذه الآية تسلية للفقراء الذين لا قدرة لهم على هذه الشهوات التي يقدر عليها الأغنياء، وتحذير للمغترين بها وتزهيد لأهل العقول النيرة بها، وتمام ذلك أن الله تعالى أخبر بعدها عن دار القرار ومصير المتقين الأبرار، وأخبر أنها خير من ذلكم المذكور، ألا وهي الجنات العاليات ذات المنازل الأنيقة والغرف العالية، والأشجار المتنوعة المثمرة بأنواع الثمار، والأنهار الجارية على حسب مرادهم والأزواج المطهرة من كل قذر ودنس وعيب ظاهر وباطن، مع الخلود الدائم الذي به تمام النعيم، مع الرضوان من الله الذي هو أكبر نعيم، فقس هذه الدار الجليلة بتلك الدار الحقيرة، ثم اختر لنفسك أحسنهما واعرض على قلبك المفاضلة بينهما { والله بصير بالعباد } أي: عالم بما فيهم من الأوصاف الحسنة والأوصاف القبيحة، وما هو اللائق بأحوالهم، يوفق من شاء منهم ويخذل من شاء. فالجنة التي ذكر الله وصفها ونعتها بأكمل نعت وصف أيضا المستحقين لها وهم الذين اتقوه بفعل ما أمر به وترك ما نهى عنه، وكان من دعائهم أن قالوا:

قوله تعالى : قل أؤنبئكم بخير من ذلكم للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها وأزواج مطهرة ورضوان من الله والله بصير بالعبادمنتهى الاستفهام عند قوله : من ذلكم ، للذين اتقوا خبر مقدم ، وجنات رفع بالابتداء . وقيل : منتهاه عند ربهم ، وجنات على هذا رفع بابتداء مضمر تقديره ذلك جنات . ويجوز على هذا التأويل : " جنات " بالخفض بدلا من " خير " ولا يجوز ذلك على الأول . قال ابن عطية : وهذه الآية والتي قبلها نظير قوله ، عليه السلام : تنكح المرأة لأربع : لمالها وحسبها وجمالها ودينها ، فاظفر بذات الدين ، تربت يداك خرجه مسلم وغيره . فقوله ( فاظفر بذات الدين ) مثال لهذه الآية . وما قبل مثال للأولى . فذكر تعالى هذه تسلية عن الدنيا وتقوية لنفوس تاركيها . وقد تقدم في البقرة معاني ألفاظ هذه الآية . والرضوان مصدر من الرضا ، وهو أنه إذا دخل أهل الجنة الجنة يقول الله تعالى لهم ( تريدون شيئا أزيدكم ) ؟ [ ص: 36 ] فيقولون : يا ربنا وأي شيء أفضل من هذا ؟ فيقول : ( رضاي فلا أسخط عليكم بعده أبدا ) خرجه مسلم . وفي قوله تعالى والله بصير بالعباد وعد ووعيد .

This world is a place of trial. God, wishing to ascertain which of His creatures are capable of rising above worldly attractions, has so willed it that man should be attracted to and find gratification in the things of this world, but at the same time be faced with the choice of clinging to them or renouncing them in favour of the unseen things of the next world. This is not an easy choice, for he sees that worldly acquisitions lead him to an honourable place in society. By possessing material resources, he can have all that he wants in life. This gives him the impression that it is these things that are of consequence. All his interests and activities centre around his family, his wealth and his property. This presents the greatest obstacle to advancing towards the demands of the Hereafter. The aura of importance surrounding worldly things makes him oblivious of all that pertains to the next life. He is so engrossed in building the future of his children in this world, that he no longer remembers the fact that there is any ‘future’ beyond this present life, to which he should give thought. Providing all comforts for his home in this world becomes so dear to him that it never occurs to him that there is any other home save this, to which he should pay heed. Making money, accumulating riches and possessing property in this world seem so estimable to him, that he fails to realize that there is any ‘wealth’ other than this, to which he should devote his life. However, all these things with the external glitter of this present life will be of no use to him in the next, eternal life. It is only one who makes the permanent life of the Hereafter the focus of his attention who will realize the insignificance of these worldly things.

In the second verse that follows (15), the same subject has been further cleared by saying: قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ‌ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَ‌بِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِ‌ي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ‌ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَ‌ةٌ وَرِ‌ضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بَصِيرٌ‌ بِالْعِبَادِ ﴿15﴾ Say: "Shall I not tell you what is far better than that? For those who fear Allah, there are with their Lord gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they shall live forever, and wives purified, and approval from Allah. And Allah is watchful over His servants." Here, the address is to the Holy Prophet ﷺ who is being asked to tell those who become obsessed with imperfect and perishable blessings they find in the present life that he is in a position to lead them on to far better blessings. These shall be the lot of those who fear Allah and are obedient to Him. These blessings are, 'gardens beneath which rivers flow, wives purified and favours from Allah' - the last being the ultimate man can and should aspire for. It will be recalled that in the preceding verse (14), the total count of blessings that infatuate man was given as six women, children, heaps of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle and tillage. As compared to that, only three blessings of the Hereafter, that is, the gardens of Par-adise, wives purified and the approval from Allah have been identified. Out of the rest, children were not mentioned because man loves children during his life in the world as children help and strengthen him in what he does and through them his name lives on. But, in the Here-after he would not need such help, nor would he 'die' in which case he may have to look for an heir. Apart from this, whoever has children would have them all in the Paradise. Whoever has no children in the mortal world would, to begin with, just not have the desire to have them in the Paradise. Should someone desire that he may have children, Allah Almighty would bless him with children. According to a hadith in Jami` al-Tirmidhi, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: 'If a dweller of Paradise wishes to have children, the process of pregnancy, birth and growth of the child will be completed in no time and he would have what he wished for.' Similarly, gold and silver were not mentioned in relation to the Paradise because gold and silver are needed in the mortal world as material things are bought against them or anything else one-needs can be procured through them. In the Hereafter, there will be just no need to buy anything or sell anything or pay for anything. Instead of that, whatever the dweller of Paradise needs will be instantly provided. Incidentally, the Paradise itself is not without gold and silver. Some sayings of the Prophet ﷺ mention that some places of Paradise will have bricks of gold and silver masoned one after the other. However, in view of the uniqueness of that life; gold and silver were not considered worth mentioning. Now the horses. In the world of our experience, horses help cover distances. In the other world, there is no travel and no riding but, sound hadith reports do prove that fine horses will be presented before the dwellers of Paradise on Fridays which they will ride to go and meet friends and relatives. As is evident, horses were not worth mentioning in this context, which is also true about cattles and farms and their produce. The services they provide have already been provided in the Paradise by Allah Almighty without their medium. However, should there be someone there who for some unnecessary reason wishes to try farming, he will have his wish granted. As it appears in some reports in al-Tabarani, everything needed for farming will be assembled instantly for such a person. Thereafter the whole process of ploughing, seeding, ripening and cutting will be accomplished in no time and he will have what he wished for before him. So, among the blessings of the آخرۃ Akhirah, the mention of 'wives purified' was considered sufficient because the Holy Qur'an has another promise for the people of Paradise: وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ ﴿57﴾ And for them there is what they wish for). After such a comprehensive declaration, there remains no need to individually mention any particular blessing. Those that have been mentioned are blessings already there without any need to ask for these. The last and most important messing mentioned is the approval of Allah Almighty something one cannot easily conceptualize - after which there is no danger of displeasure from Allah. According to a hadith, when the people of Paradise would have settled down there, happy and content without having any desire remaining unfulfilled, Allah Almighty will speak to them asking if they are happy and if they need anything. They will say: Our Lord, You have given us everything, what else could we ever need. Allah Almighty would say: Now I give you the greatest of all blessings - you all have My approval that I will never be displeased with you, and nearness forever. Since the danger of Allah's displeasure does not exist in Paradise, there is also no danger that the blessings of Paradise will ever be taken back or reduced. It is the very subject of these verses that the Holy Prophet has summarized in the following hadith: الدنیا ملعونۃ و ملعون ما فیھا الا ما ابتغی بہ وجہ اللہ وفی روایہ الا زکر اللہ و ما والاہ او عالماً او متعلماً 'Wordly life is cursed and cursed is what is in there, except what is used to seek the pleasure of Allah'. According to another narration: ' except the Dhikr (Remembrance) of Allah and what Allah likes and except ` Alim عالِم (religious scholar) and Talib ilm طالب العلم (student in religion).' This hadith has been reported by Ibn Majah and al-Tabarani on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Hurairah ؓ .

Then Allah elucidated the bliss of the Hereafter, its permanence and favour, just as He exposited the joys of the life of this world, by saying: (Say) O Muhammad, to the unbelievers: (Shall I inform you of something better than that?) better than the embellishments of this world. (For those who keep from evil) keep from disbelief, ascribing partners to Allah and indecencies, in reference to Abu Bakr and his fellow believers, (with their Lord, are Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers) of wine, honey, milk and water (flow, wherein they will abide for ever) they will dwell in Paradise: they shall neither die nor leave it (and pure companions) they have therein spouses who are spared menses and filth, (and contentment from Allah) and the contentment of Allah is far greater than the bliss they enjoy. (Allah is Seer of His bondmen) He is Seer of the believers, their places in Paradise, as well as their works in the life of this world.

�with spouses pure�That is, purified from the defilements that they were subject to in this world, such as menstruationand the like. Do you not note His words, And their Lord will give to them a pure drink to drink [76:21], which means that He will purify them from the remaining blemishes of the world?His words: