۞ مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا ۚ تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ ۖ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ 35
Translations
The example [i.e., description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade. That is the consequence for the righteous, and the consequence for the disbelievers is the Fire.
Transliteration
Mathalu al-jannati allati wu'ida al-muttaqun tajri min tahtiha al-anhar ukuluha da'im wa zilluha tilka uqba alladhina ittaqaw wa uqba al-kafirin al-nar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a vivid description of Paradise promised to the righteous (muttaqun), depicting its eternal blessings through flowing rivers, perpetual fruits, and pleasant shade—contrasting these rewards with the punishment of Hell for the disbelievers. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that these are both literal physical realities and metaphorical representations of the ultimate consequences of piety versus disbelief, affirming that Paradise is a genuine reward prepared by Allah for those who fear Him.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Ra'd is a Medinan chapter that addresses both believers and disbelievers, emphasizing Allah's signs in creation and His ultimate justice. This ayah appears in a section discussing the contrast between the eternal outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, reinforcing themes of divine justice and accountability that are central to the surah's message to the growing Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The least reward for the inhabitants of Paradise is an abode eighty thousand years in length, with seventy thousand servants, and a wife from the Houris, with a tent of pearls, coral, and musk' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'In Paradise there are things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has imagined' (Sahih Bukhari 3244), relating to the indescribable nature of Paradise's blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that conscious devotion to Allah (taqwa) yields the ultimate reward of eternal Paradise with unimaginable blessings, encouraging righteous conduct in this life by directing focus toward the permanent consequences of our choices rather than temporary worldly gains. It also serves as a sobering reminder that rejection of faith leads to certain punishment, making the choice between obedience and rebellion a matter of eternal significance.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ
Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state is theirs and a good return.
ٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ أُنثَىٰ وَمَا تَغِيضُ ٱلْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ ۖ وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِندَهُۥ بِمِقْدَارٍ
Allāh knows what every female carries and what the wombs lose [prematurely] or exceed. And everything with Him is by due measure.
۞ أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? They will only be reminded who are people of understanding -
كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
Thus have We sent you to a community before which [other] communities have passed on so you might recite to them that which We revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return."