فَوَٰكِهُ ۖ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ 42
Translations
Fruits; and they will be honored
Transliteration
Fawakihu wa hum mukramun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the fruits (fawakihu) that the inhabitants of Paradise will enjoy, emphasizing that they will be honored guests (mukramun) receiving the best of provisions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as depicting the eternal blessings of Paradise, where the righteous will experience fruits of every kind they desire, free from decay or harm, as a manifestation of Allah's honor upon them. The word 'mukramun' (honored ones) underscores that these are not mere provisions but dignified rewards for those who pleased Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah As-Saffat, which is a Meccan chapter dealing with themes of resurrection, judgment, and the ultimate fate of the righteous and wicked. The surah uses vivid descriptions of Paradise and Hell to convince the Meccan disbelievers of the reality of the afterlife, making this ayah part of the broader pedagogical purpose of painting a compelling picture of Paradise's rewards.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'In Paradise, there are fruits that resemble nothing you have known in this world, yet you will recognize them by their taste.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) Additionally, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet described the fruits of Paradise as being of immeasurable variety and abundance (related in various hadith collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that righteous deeds in this temporary life lead to eternal honor and dignified provisions in Paradise, encouraging steadfastness in faith and obedience while trusting that Allah's rewards for the faithful far exceed anything imagined in this worldly existence.
Related Ayahs
عَيْنًا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًا
[From] a fountain within it [i.e., Paradise] named Salsabeel.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
وَمَن يَأْتِهِۦ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلدَّرَجَـٰتُ ٱلْعُلَىٰ
But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]: