Tafsir & Commentary
The Criterion (الفرقان) · Meccan
قُلْ أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ أَمْ جَنَّةُ ٱلْخُلْدِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ۚ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَزَآءً وَمَصِيرًا15
25:15
Translation — Sahih International
Say, "Is that better or the Garden of Eternity which is promised to the righteous? It will be for them a reward and destination.
Transliteration
Qul a-dhalika khayrun am jannatul-khuldi allatee wu'ida al-muttaqoon, kanat lahum jazaa'an wa-maseeran
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask the disbelievers which is better: their worldly pleasures and false gods, or the eternal Paradise promised to the righteous (al-muttaqoon). The ayah emphasizes that Paradise is both a reward (jazaa') for their deeds and their ultimate destination (maseer), highlighting the superiority of the Hereafter over temporary worldly gains. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note this rhetorical question is designed to awaken the conscience and demonstrate the obvious choice for those with sound reasoning.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah appears in the Meccan period context of Surah Al-Furqan, which addresses the arguments against the Quran and prophethood raised by Meccan polytheists. It follows verses describing the false claims of disbelievers and their worship of idols, providing a powerful contrast between their temporary enjoyments and the eternal reward awaiting the God-conscious believers. The rhetorical question serves to highlight the foolishness of choosing worldly vanities over Paradise.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest blessing in Paradise is the vision of Allah's face.' (Related in Muslim and other collections). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari describes Paradise's descriptions: 'No soul knows what comfort and joy has been hidden for them as a reward for their deeds.'
Themes
Key Lessons
This ayah invites believers to constantly reassess their priorities, recognizing that the eternal Paradise promised to the God-conscious is incomparably superior to any temporary worldly pleasure or status. It serves as a reminder to maintain perspective on life's true purpose and to align our choices with consciousness of Allah (taqwa) rather than fleeting desires.