| You will recognise blissful radiance on their faces. 25) They will be given the choicest sealed nectar to drink, 26) the last residue of which is musk* - for this let the contenders compete. 27) It is mixed with [the water of] Tasnim, 28) a spring from which those brought near [to Allah] drink. |
“The righteous will be in bliss,” after mentioning their record, Allah mentions that they are in bliss and this term encompasses the bliss of heart, soul and body, “[seated] on couches,” lined with fine, decorative sheets “gazing [in wonder],” at the joys Allah has prepared for them, looking on at the face of their Noble Lord. “You” who are looking at them “will recognise blissful radiance on their faces,”brought about by delight followed by delight, joy followed by joy and pleasure followed by pleasure. All these matters serve to give light, radiance and beauty to the face. “They will be given the choicest sealed nectar to drink,” the purest and sweetest of drinks “the last residue of which is musk,” it is possible that the word khitam refers to the fact that this drink is sealed so that nothing can enter it that would diminish its purity or lessen its taste. This seal is musk. It is also possible that it mean that the last residue at the bottom of the cup containing this drink is pure musk as opposed to the murky fluid that is commonly found in the bottom of cups in this world. “For this,” eternal bliss, the extent of which is known to Allah Alone, “let the contenders compete!” by rushing to perform such deeds as would lead to it. This goal is most deserving of our expending our most precious commodities in acquiring and being the aspiration of the best of people! “It” this drink is “is mixed with [the water] of Tasnim, a spring from which those brought near [to Allah] drink,” unadulterated with anything else. Tasnim is the best drink of Paradise, and it is drunk in its unadulterated state by Those Brought Near who have the best standing among creation. It is mixed with other liquids, such as pure wine, for the People of the Right.
After having mentioned the recompense of the wicked and the recompense of the righteous and the vast gulf between the two, Allah proceeds to mention some of the actions of the wicked in this world,
| 29) Indeed, those who worked evil would laugh at those who believed, 30) winking at one another when they passed by them. 31) When they returned to their families, they would return ridiculing them.** 32) When they saw them, they would say, ‘This lot are truly misguided,’ 33) though they were not sent to be guardians over them. |
“Indeed, those who worked evil would laugh at those who believed,” mockingly, “winking at one another when they passed by them,” deriding them and putting them down. Yet despite this, you would see the believers having peace of mind and content, the thought of fear not even crossing their minds.“When they returned to their families,” in the morning or evening, “they would return ridiculing them,” happy and exultant. This attitude shows the extremes to which they had deceived themselves: their evil behaviour coupled with a sense of total security in this world as if Allah had promised them felicity!“When they saw them, they would say, ‘This lot are truly misguided,’” they had adjudged themselves to be guided and the believers misguided thereby lying against Allah and speaking about Him without knowledge. “Though they were not sent to be guardians over them,” over the believers, committed to assessing and safeguarding their deeds, such that they could accuse them of misguidance. They did what they did because of their obdurate rejection, their arrogance and their playing games. They have no support for their claims and no proof. This is why their recompense in the Hereafter is of the same type as their deeds.
| 34) This Day those who believed are laughing at the disbelievers, 35) [sitting] on couches, gazing [in wonder]. 36) Have the disbelievers [not] been rewarded for what they used to do? |
“This Day those who believed are laughing at the disbelievers,” when they see them in the midst of torment, the lies they had concocted shown to be idle fancy. The believers, on the other hand, are in total comfort and beatitude, “[sitting] on couches,” decorated “gazing [in wonder],” at the joys Allah has prepared for them, looking on at the face of their Noble Lord. “Have the disbelievers [not] been rewarded for what they used to do?” are they not requited with a recompense of the same type as their deeds? They would laugh at the believers in this world and accuse them of misguidance, so the believers shall laugh at them in the Hereafter when they see their torment, a torment which is the punishment of their own straying and misguidance. Yes, indeed, the disbelievers are rewarded for what they used to do: justice and wisdom from Allah.
Allah is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
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