إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَـٰمًا سَلَـٰمًا 26
Translations
Only a saying [of] peace, peace.
Transliteration
Illa qeelan salaman salama
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the speech of the people of Paradise, where they will greet one another only with the word 'Salam' (peace). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this represents the perfection of their state—their conversations will be characterized purely by greetings of peace, free from all vain discourse, arguments, and the base speech found in worldly life. This reflects the elevated spiritual condition of the inhabitants of Jannah, where all interaction is marked by tranquility, harmony, and divine peace.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Waqi'ah, which describes the conditions and stations of the people of Paradise and Hellfire on the Day of Judgment. It is part of a broader passage (56:24-26) depicting how the people of the right hand (the righteous) will be served and entertained in Paradise, emphasizing the peaceful and serene nature of their eternal existence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The first group to enter Paradise will have faces like the moon, and those after them like the brightest star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and there will be no hatred or enmity among them' (Sahih Muslim 2834). Additionally, the greeting 'As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh' (Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah) is recommended in Islamic teaching as a reflection of the Quranic emphasis on peace.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that true peace and harmony come from pure, meaningful communication free from gossip, argumentation, and negativity. By cultivating greetings of peace and positive speech in our daily lives, we reflect the values of Paradise and move closer to embodying the spiritual virtues that Allah has prepared for the righteous.