خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ 22
Translations
[They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allāh has with Him a great reward.
Transliteration
Khālidīna fīhā abadā. Inna Allāha 'indahu ajrun 'aẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the description of Paradise, emphasizing that the believers will dwell in it eternally (abadan). The phrase 'Indeed, with Allah is a great reward' (Inna Allāha 'indahu ajrun 'aẓīm) underscores that Paradise itself is the ultimate reward from Allah for the righteous. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this eternal residence in Paradise represents the culmination of Divine mercy and justice, as Allah grants His servants an everlasting abode of bliss as recompense for their faith and righteous deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), a Medinan surah dealing with repentance, obligations of believers, and the distinction between the faithful and the hypocrites. The broader passage (9:21-22) describes the rewards promised to those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, establishing the eternal nature of Paradise as motivation for spiritual commitment and righteous action.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'In Paradise there are things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever imagined' (Sahih Bukhari 4779). Additionally, Jābir ibn 'Abdullah reported that the Prophet said: 'Whoever enters Paradise will not wish to return to this world, even if he were offered all that is in it' (Sahih Muslim 2838).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the reward for faith and obedience is not temporary worldly gain, but eternal residence in Paradise—a blessing beyond human comprehension. The certainty of this promise should inspire unwavering commitment to Islamic principles and help believers maintain perspective on life's trials and tribulations.
Related Ayahs
وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And remove the fury in their [i.e., the believers'] hearts. And Allāh turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ٱبْنُ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَى ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ ٱللَّهِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۖ يُضَـٰهِـُٔونَ قَوْلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ قَـٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allāh"; and the Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of Allāh." That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before [them]. May Allāh destroy them; how are they deluded?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْكُفَّارِ وَلْيَجِدُوا۟ فِيكُمْ غِلْظَةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
O you who have believed, fight against those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allāh is with the righteous.
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـٰنَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allāh, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.