عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ يَنظُرُونَ 23
Translations
On adorned couches, observing.
Transliteration
Alá al-ará'iki yandhurūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the righteous inhabitants of Paradise reclining upon elevated couches or thrones, observing the blessings around them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the 'arā'ik (couches/thrones) symbolize honor, comfort, and the highest stations in Paradise, while the verb 'yandhurūn' (they observe/look around) conveys their state of peaceful contentment and joyful contemplation of the divine blessings bestowed upon them.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Al-Mutaffifin, which addresses those who defraud in weights and measures. The surah contrasts the fate of the defrauders with the reward of the righteous, providing glad tidings to believers. This particular ayah is part of the description of Paradise reserved for the pious, serving as motivation for ethical conduct and honest dealings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'In Paradise there are one hundred degrees which Allah has prepared for those who fight in His cause.' (Sahih Bukhari) Additionally, numerous ahadith describe the comfort and beauty of Paradise's furnishings, including couches and thrones prepared for the believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that honest conduct and piety lead to eternal reward and peace in Paradise, encouraging us to maintain integrity in all dealings and trust in Allah's promise of ultimate justice and comfort for the faithful.
Related Ayahs
وَكَأْسًا دِهَاقًا
And a full cup.
عَيْنًا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًا
A spring of which the [righteous] servants of Allāh will drink; they will make it gush forth in force [and abundance].
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا ٱلْحَزَنَ ۖ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
And they will say, "Praise to Allāh, who has removed from us [all] sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative -
وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى هَدَىٰنَا لِهَـٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلَآ أَنْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ ۖ لَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ وَنُودُوٓا۟ أَن تِلْكُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And We will have removed whatever is within their breasts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers. And they will say, "Praise to Allāh, who has guided us to this; and we would never have been guided if Allāh had not guided us. Certainly the messengers of our Lord had come with the truth." And they will be called, "This is Paradise, which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do."