Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Chosen and the Best among the Prophets Allah tells us about the virtues of His servants the Messengers and His Prophets: وَاذْكُرْ عِبَادَنَآ إِبْرَهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى وَالاٌّبْصَـرِ (And remember Our servants, Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya`qub, Ulil-Aydi wal-Absar.) meaning, righteous deeds, beneficial knowledge, strength in worship and insight. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى (Ulil-Aydi) "Of great strength and worship; وَالاٌّبْصَـرُ (wal-Absar) means, understanding of the religion." Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "They were given strength in worship and understanding of the religion." إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَهُمْ بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ (Verily, We did choose them by granting them the remembrance of the Abode.) Mujahid said, "This means: We made them strive for the Hereafter, and there is nothing else for them besides that." As-Suddi also said, "The remembrance of the Hereafter and striving for it." Malik bin Dinar said, "Allah removed the love of this world from their hearts, and singled them out for land remembrance of the Hereafter." Qatadah said, "They used to remind the people about the Abode of the Hereafter and to strive for it." وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best!) means, they are among those who have been elected and chosen, and they are the best and the chosen ones. وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَـعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And remember Isma`il, Al-Yasa`, and Dhul-Kifl, all are among the best.) We have already discussed their characteristics and stories in detail in Surat Al-Anbiya', may peace be upon them, and there is no need to repeat it here. هَـذَا ذِكْرُ (This is a Reminder) means, a reminder to those who will be reminded. As-Suddi said, "This means the Holy Qur'an."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Chosen and the Best among the Prophets Allah tells us about the virtues of His servants the Messengers and His Prophets: وَاذْكُرْ عِبَادَنَآ إِبْرَهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى وَالاٌّبْصَـرِ (And remember Our servants, Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya`qub, Ulil-Aydi wal-Absar.) meaning, righteous deeds, beneficial knowledge, strength in worship and insight. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى (Ulil-Aydi) "Of great strength and worship; وَالاٌّبْصَـرُ (wal-Absar) means, understanding of the religion." Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "They were given strength in worship and understanding of the religion." إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَهُمْ بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ (Verily, We did choose them by granting them the remembrance of the Abode.) Mujahid said, "This means: We made them strive for the Hereafter, and there is nothing else for them besides that." As-Suddi also said, "The remembrance of the Hereafter and striving for it." Malik bin Dinar said, "Allah removed the love of this world from their hearts, and singled them out for land remembrance of the Hereafter." Qatadah said, "They used to remind the people about the Abode of the Hereafter and to strive for it." وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best!) means, they are among those who have been elected and chosen, and they are the best and the chosen ones. وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَـعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And remember Isma`il, Al-Yasa`, and Dhul-Kifl, all are among the best.) We have already discussed their characteristics and stories in detail in Surat Al-Anbiya', may peace be upon them, and there is no need to repeat it here. هَـذَا ذِكْرُ (This is a Reminder) means, a reminder to those who will be reminded. As-Suddi said, "This means the Holy Qur'an."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Chosen and the Best among the Prophets Allah tells us about the virtues of His servants the Messengers and His Prophets: وَاذْكُرْ عِبَادَنَآ إِبْرَهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى وَالاٌّبْصَـرِ (And remember Our servants, Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya`qub, Ulil-Aydi wal-Absar.) meaning, righteous deeds, beneficial knowledge, strength in worship and insight. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: أُوْلِى الاٌّيْدِى (Ulil-Aydi) "Of great strength and worship; وَالاٌّبْصَـرُ (wal-Absar) means, understanding of the religion." Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "They were given strength in worship and understanding of the religion." إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَهُمْ بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ (Verily, We did choose them by granting them the remembrance of the Abode.) Mujahid said, "This means: We made them strive for the Hereafter, and there is nothing else for them besides that." As-Suddi also said, "The remembrance of the Hereafter and striving for it." Malik bin Dinar said, "Allah removed the love of this world from their hearts, and singled them out for land remembrance of the Hereafter." Qatadah said, "They used to remind the people about the Abode of the Hereafter and to strive for it." وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best!) means, they are among those who have been elected and chosen, and they are the best and the chosen ones. وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَـعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الاٌّخْيَارِ (And remember Isma`il, Al-Yasa`, and Dhul-Kifl, all are among the best.) We have already discussed their characteristics and stories in detail in Surat Al-Anbiya', may peace be upon them, and there is no need to repeat it here. هَـذَا ذِكْرُ (This is a Reminder) means, a reminder to those who will be reminded. As-Suddi said, "This means the Holy Qur'an."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Final Return of the Blessed Allah tells us that His blessed, believing servants will have a good final return in the Hereafter, which means their ultimate destination. Then He explains it further, as He says: جَنَّـتِ عَدْنٍ (`Adn Gardens) meaning, eternal gardens (of Paradise), مُّفَتَّحَةً لَّهُمُ الاٌّبْوَابُ (whose doors will be opened for them.) means, when they come to them (these gardens), their gates will open for them. مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا (Therein they will recline;) It was said that this means that they will sit cross-legged on chairs beneath canopies. يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَـكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ (therein they will call for fruits in abundance) means, whatever they ask for, they will find it, and it will be prepared just as they wanted it. وَشَرَابٌ (and drinks;) means, whatever kind of drink they want, the servants will bring it to them, بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ (With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine.) (56: 18). وَعِندَهُمْ قَـصِرَتُ الطَّرْفِ (And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf (chaste females)) means, they restrain their glances from anyone except their husbands, and do not turn to anyone else. أَتْرَابٌ ((and) of equal ages.) means, they will all be of the same age. This is the understanding of Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b and As-Suddi. هَـذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ (This it is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning!) means, `this that We have mentioned of the features of Paradise is what He has prepared for His pious servants who will reach it after they have been resurrected from their graves and been saved from the Fire.' Then Allah tells us that Paradise will never come to an end or disappear or cease to be. He says: إِنَّ هَـذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُ مِن نَّفَادٍ (Verily, this is Our provision which will never finish.) This is like the Ayat: مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ (Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever is with Allah will remain) (16:96). عَطَآءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ (a gift without an end.) (11:108) لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ (for them is a reward that will never come to an end.) (84:25). أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وِظِلُّهَا تِلْكَ عُقْبَى الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ وَّعُقْبَى الْكَـفِرِينَ النَّارُ (its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.)(13:35). And there are many similar Ayat.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The Final Return of the Blessed Allah tells us that His blessed, believing servants will have a good final return in the Hereafter, which means their ultimate destination. Then He explains it further, as He says: جَنَّـتِ عَدْنٍ (`Adn Gardens) meaning, eternal gardens (of Paradise), مُّفَتَّحَةً لَّهُمُ الاٌّبْوَابُ (whose doors will be opened for them.) means, when they come to them (these gardens), their gates will open for them. مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا (Therein they will recline;) It was said that this means that they will sit cross-legged on chairs beneath canopies. يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَـكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ (therein they will call for fruits in abundance) means, whatever they ask for, they will find it, and it will be prepared just as they wanted it. وَشَرَابٌ (and drinks;) means, whatever kind of drink they want, the servants will bring it to them, بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ (With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine.) (56: 18). وَعِندَهُمْ قَـصِرَتُ الطَّرْفِ (And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf (chaste females)) means, they restrain their glances from anyone except their husbands, and do not turn to anyone else. أَتْرَابٌ ((and) of equal ages.) means, they will all be of the same age. This is the understanding of Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Ka`b and As-Suddi. هَـذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ (This it is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning!) means, `this that We have mentioned of the features of Paradise is what He has prepared for His pious servants who will reach it after they have been resurrected from their graves and been saved from the Fire.' Then Allah tells us that Paradise will never come to an end or disappear or cease to be. He says: إِنَّ هَـذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُ مِن نَّفَادٍ (Verily, this is Our provision which will never finish.) This is like the Ayat: مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ (Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever is with Allah will remain) (16:96). عَطَآءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ (a gift without an end.) (11:108) لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ (for them is a reward that will never come to an end.) (84:25). أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وِظِلُّهَا تِلْكَ عُقْبَى الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ وَّعُقْبَى الْكَـفِرِينَ النَّارُ (its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.)(13:35). And there are many similar Ayat.