۞ وَعِندَهُمْ قَـٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرْفِ أَتْرَابٌ 52
Translations
And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.
Transliteration
Wa 'indahum qasiratul-tarfi atrab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the wives of the inhabitants of Paradise as being 'modest of gaze' and 'of equal age.' The phrase 'qasiratul-tarfi' (those who avert their gaze) indicates their chastity and virtue, while 'atrab' (of equal age/peers) suggests they are matched in age and maturity with their spouses. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as depicting the purity and harmony of marital relationships in Paradise, where spouses are perfectly suited to one another and possess excellent character.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Sad's description of Paradise and its blessings for the righteous (verses 49-54). The surah, revealed in Mecca, emphasizes the rewards awaiting believers in the Hereafter as encouragement during the period of persecution. This particular verse follows the mention of the gardens, fruits, and rivers of Paradise, continuing the comprehensive depiction of celestial rewards.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 4879) contains the hadith where the Prophet (ﷺ) describes the inhabitants of Paradise and their spouses. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the seventy-two maidens of Paradise relates to similar descriptions of Paradise's rewards, though that refers to a different context.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Paradise contains not merely material pleasures but also beautiful spiritual and relational dimensions, including virtuous and compatible companionship. It reminds believers that the Hereafter perfects all aspects of human life, including marriage and relationships, rewarding those who maintained piety and righteousness in this world.