وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا 17
Translations
And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger
Transliteration
Wa yusqawna fīhā ka'san kāna mizājuhā zanjabīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
The inhabitants of Paradise will be served a drink whose mixture is ginger (zanjabil), emphasizing the divine provision of delightful and pure beverages in the afterlife. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that ginger was valued in Arabian culture for its warming properties and pleasant taste, making it a fitting description of the exquisite drinks of Paradise. This ayah illustrates how Allah describes heavenly pleasures using familiar earthly elements to help human comprehension, while the actual reality transcends all imagination.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Insan (Chapter 76) was revealed in Medina and focuses on the contrasting destinies of the righteous and the wicked in the afterlife. This particular ayah is part of an extended description of Paradise (verses 12-22) that details the rewards awaiting those who were patient and devoted to Allah, providing comfort and hope to believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the drinks of Paradise: 'In Paradise, there is a river of water, a river of milk, a river of wine, and a river of honey' (Sahih Bukhari 3326). Additionally, Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet described the beverages of Paradise as being of unsurpassed quality and purity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah has prepared incomparable blessings for those who remain steadfast in faith and righteousness, and that even our limited earthly understanding can glimpse the magnificence of eternal reward through familiar, beloved things.