مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَـٰبِلِينَ 16
Translations
Reclining on them, facing each other.
Transliteration
Muttakieen alayhaa mutaqabileen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Paradise reclining upon couches facing one another in mutual conversation and companionship. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this depicts the comfort, honor, and social joy of the blessed in Paradise, where they recline in splendor while engaging in pleasant discourse with one another. The phrase emphasizes both physical ease (reclining) and spiritual fulfillment (meaningful companionship), illustrating that Paradise is not merely a place of solitary pleasure but of communal harmony and mutual affection.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Waqi'ah (Chapter 56), which was revealed to describe the inevitable Day of Judgment and the states of different groups in the afterlife. The surah contrasts the three categories of people: the foremost ones (As-Sabiqun), the people of the right (Ashab al-Yameen), and the people of the left (Ashab ash-Shimal). Verse 16 specifically describes the blessings of As-Sabiqun, the closest servants to Allah, emphasizing their elevated station in Paradise.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'In Paradise, the believer will see his family and loved ones.' (Reported in various forms in Islamic literature). Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet described Paradise with gardens and rivers, and that its inhabitants will have whatever their souls desire, which contextually relates to the social bonds mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that true Paradise encompasses not only physical comfort but also meaningful relationships and community—a profound teaching that social bonds and fellowship are essential to human happiness, both in this life and the next. It inspires believers to nurture good relationships and to strive for righteousness knowing that eternal companionship with loved ones awaits those who submit to Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ
And cups put in place
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى ظِلَـٰلٍ وَعُيُونٍ
Indeed, the righteous will be among shades and springs
مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ فِيهَآ أَنْهَـٰرٌ مِّن مَّآءٍ غَيْرِ ءَاسِنٍ وَأَنْهَـٰرٌ مِّن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُۥ وَأَنْهَـٰرٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ وَأَنْهَـٰرٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَـٰلِدٌ فِى ٱلنَّارِ وَسُقُوا۟ مَآءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَآءَهُمْ
Is the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord... [Are its inhabitants] like those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?
تَعْرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِهِمْ نَضْرَةَ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
You will recognize in their faces the radiance of pleasure.