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
وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوْكَ لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ قُلْتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَلَّوا۟ وَّأَعْيُنُهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُوا۟ مَا يُنفِقُونَ
Nor [is there blame] upon those who, when they came to you for you to take them along, you said, "I can find nothing upon which to carry you." They turned back while their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allāh].
وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً وَلَا يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allāh may reward them for the best of what they were doing.
وَجَآءَ ٱلْمُعَذِّرُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ لِيُؤْذَنَ لَهُمْ وَقَعَدَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ سَيُصِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And those with excuses among the bedouins came to be permitted [to remain], and they who had lied to Allāh and His Messenger sat [at home]. There will strike those who disbelieved among them a painful punishment.
عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَتَعْلَمَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
Allāh has pardoned you, [O Muḥammad, but] why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.