۞ وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ غِلْمَانٌ لَّهُمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَّكْنُونٌ 24
Translations
There will circulate among them [servant] boys [especially] for them, as if they were pearls well-protected.
Transliteration
Wa-yatoofu 'alayhim ghilmānun lahum ka-annahum lu'lu'un maknūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the servants in Paradise who will attend to the inhabitants of Paradise, described as being like pearls kept in their shells—radiant, pure, and unblemished in appearance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these youthful servants (ghilmān) represent part of the honor and comfort awaiting the righteous in the afterlife, emphasizing both the physical beauty and the seamless service of Paradise. The comparison to 'concealed pearls' (lu'lu'u maknūn) highlights their pristine beauty and purity, suggesting they are preserved in perfection and modesty.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah At-Tur, which focuses on descriptions of Paradise and Hell to motivate believers toward righteousness. The context of Surah 52 (verses 17-28) depicts the joys and comforts of Paradise, encouraging the early Muslim community during persecution in Mecca to remain steadfast in faith by reminding them of eternal rewards.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described Paradise extensively in various hadiths. See Sahih Muslim 2836, where 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud reports descriptions of Paradise's inhabitants and their eternal bliss. Also relevant is Sahih Bukhari 3244 regarding the creation of the denizens of Paradise and their characteristics.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the rewards of Paradise extend to every aspect of existence, including comfort, beauty, and perfect service, serving as powerful motivation to maintain faith and righteous deeds in this temporary life while striving for the eternal blessings to come.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.
ٱدْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَـٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ
[Having been told], "Enter it in peace, safe [and secure]."
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allāh. Allāh does not fail in [His] promise.