Surah 78 (An-Nabã’), Verses 21-40 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection concludes Surah 78, An-Nabã’ or the Great News, verses 21-40. These verse discuss the resurrection of the dead and man’s accountability in the court of God. The righteous will be well-compensated and the disbelievers will wish that they could turn into mere dust.

Tafseer for this selection concerns the three symbols of the supreme achievement of attaining heaven in verses 32-35.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

For sure, the hell shall lie in ambush,[21] to become a home for the transgressors.[22] There they shall live for ages,[23] in it they shall taste neither refreshment nor drink,[24] except scalding water and decaying filth:[25] a fitting recompense for their deeds.[26] For they never expected to be accountable,[27] and wittingly rejected Our revelations.[28] But We had recorded everything in a Book.[29] It will be said: “Taste the fruits of your deeds! You shall have nothing but increase in punishment.”[30] 78:[22-30]

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On that Day, the righteous will certainly achieve their Heart’s desires:[31] beautiful gardens, vineyards;[32] and young women of their own age,[33] and overflowing cups;[34] they shall hear no vanity, nor any falsehood;[35] – a recompense from your Lord and a gift beyond their account[36] from the Compassionate, Who is the Lord of the heavens, the earth and all that lies between them; before Whom no one shall be able to speak.[37] 78:[31-37]

On that Day, the Spirit (Angel Gabriel) and the angels shall stand in their ranks; none shall speak except the one to whom the Compassionate (Allah) shall grant permission to speak, and he will speak straight to the point.[38] That Day is a sure reality. Let him who desires, seek a way back to his Lord.[39] Indeed We have forewarned you of an imminent punishment which lies close-at-hand, on the Day when man shall see what his hands have sent forth and the unbeliever will cry: “I wish! I could remain merely dust.”[40] 78:[38-40]

Ameen.

Tafseer

Concerning the Fulfillment of the Heart’s Desires in Verse 31:

The supreme Achievement, or the Fulfillment of the Heart’s Desires, spoken of in [verse 31], is now described in three symbols (verses 32-34), and further explained by two negatives (verse 35). The first symbol is the enclosed Fruit Garden, and the symbol taken for the fruit is the Grape. The Garden in its many aspects is the most frequent symbol adopted for Bliss. Here the symbolism is further particularized. The most carefully-tended Garden is a Fruit Garden, with walls all around to protect it, and the most characteristic fruit mentioned is the grape.

The second symbol is Companions of Equal Age – symbols of purity, grace, beauty, innocence, and sympathy.

The third symbol, the Cup, takes us partly to the grapes mentioned in verse 32 and partly to the Springs or Rivers mentioned with the Garden in so many places. Full to the brim brings to our mind the unbounded Bounty of God.

The explanation of the three symbols is made further clear by the two negatives [verse 35]. (1) There will be not talk of vanities such as are usually associated on this earth with the three symbols. (2) There will be no Untruth or Falsehood, Insincerity or Hollowness there. Everything will be on a plane of absolute Truth and Reality.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.