لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ 20
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Lākinil-ladhīnattaqaw rabbahum lahum ghurfun min fawqihā ghurfun mabniyyah tajrī min taḥtihā al-anhār, wa'da Allāh, lā yukhliful-Allāhu al-mī'ād
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contrasts the fate of the righteous believers with that of the disbelievers mentioned previously, describing the mansions of Paradise that await those who fear their Lord. The phrase 'lofty chambers above which more lofty chambers are built' (غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ) signifies elevated and multiply-layered palaces of exquisite beauty, beneath which rivers flow—a description of the ultimate reward. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a divine promise (wa'd Allah) assured to be fulfilled, as Allah never breaks His covenant, serving as a consolation to believers facing persecution in Mecca.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zumar is a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense persecution of Muslims, offering reassurance and hope to the believers. This particular ayah appears in the section contrasting the eternal fates of the righteous and the wicked, providing spiritual encouragement that steadfastness in taqwā (God-consciousness) will be rewarded eternally.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'In Paradise there are rooms whose outside is visible from inside and inside from outside,' mentioned in various hadith collections. Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet described Paradise's rivers and palaces when discussing the rewards awaiting the believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success lies not in worldly accomplishments but in cultivating taqwā and remaining conscious of Allah's presence; believers facing hardships should remember that Allah's promises of eternal reward are certain and inviolable, providing motivation to remain steadfast in faith despite present difficulties.