Translation:
The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised!- beneath it flow rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof 1854 and the shade therein: 1855 such is the end of the Righteous; and the end of Unbelievers in the Fire. 1856
The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised!- beneath it flow rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof 1854 and the shade therein: 1855 such is the end of the Righteous; and the end of Unbelievers in the Fire. 1856
Translation:
THE PARABLE of the paradise promised to those who are conscious of God [is that of a garden] through which running waters flow: 65 [but, unlike an earthly garden,] its fruits will be everlasting, and [so will be] its shade. 66 Such will be the destiny of those who remain conscious of God-just as the destiny of those who deny the truth will be the fire. 67
THE PARABLE of the paradise promised to those who are conscious of God [is that of a garden] through which running waters flow: 65 [but, unlike an earthly garden,] its fruits will be everlasting, and [so will be] its shade. 66 Such will be the destiny of those who remain conscious of God-just as the destiny of those who deny the truth will be the fire. 67
Commentary:
65 This rendering (and the interpolation of the words "is that of a garden") reproduces literally the interpretation given to the above passage by Az-Zajjaj, as quoted by Zamakhshari and-in an abbreviated form - by Razi; according to Zamakhshari, this passage serves "as a parabolic illustration, by means of something which we know from our experience, of something that is beyond the reach of our perception" (tamthilan li-ma ghaba `anna bi-ma nushahid). As in the similar (but wider) reference to "the parable of paradise" in 47:15, we are here reminded that the Qur'anic descriptions of what awaits man after resurrection are, of necessity, metaphorical, since the human mind cannot conceive of anything that is - both in its elements and its totality - entirely different from anything that can be experienced in this world. (See in this connection Appendix I.)
66 I.e., its gift of happiness. Regarding this metaphorical meaning of; zill ("shade"), see the last clause of 4:57 and the corresponding note 74.
67 For my rendering of `ugba, in this context, as "destiny" see note 45 above.
65 This rendering (and the interpolation of the words "is that of a garden") reproduces literally the interpretation given to the above passage by Az-Zajjaj, as quoted by Zamakhshari and-in an abbreviated form - by Razi; according to Zamakhshari, this passage serves "as a parabolic illustration, by means of something which we know from our experience, of something that is beyond the reach of our perception" (tamthilan li-ma ghaba `anna bi-ma nushahid). As in the similar (but wider) reference to "the parable of paradise" in 47:15, we are here reminded that the Qur'anic descriptions of what awaits man after resurrection are, of necessity, metaphorical, since the human mind cannot conceive of anything that is - both in its elements and its totality - entirely different from anything that can be experienced in this world. (See in this connection Appendix I.)
66 I.e., its gift of happiness. Regarding this metaphorical meaning of; zill ("shade"), see the last clause of 4:57 and the corresponding note 74.
67 For my rendering of `ugba, in this context, as "destiny" see note 45 above.
1854 For the comprehensive meaning of the root akala (literally 'to eat'), see 5:66, n, 776. In its derived meaning, it means fruit and enjoyment of all kinds, spiritual as well as other. The joys of heaven are not like the joys of the earth, which fade away or cloy. The joys of heaven are pure, lasting, and without any of the drawbacks which we associate with the joys of the sense.
1855 Zill: literally shade, hence, shelter, protection, security. All these meanings are implied. Shade is one of the delights of a garden. Cf. 4:57, and n. 579.
1856 In this, as no other place, the Fire is contrasted with the Garden, as misery is contrasted with bliss. We can also imagine other incidents in contrast with those of the Garden; e.g., with the Fire will be drought, aridity, thirst, instead of beautiful rivers; pain and suffering, instead of perpetual delight; no protection against the fierceness of the heat, as contrasted with the cool shades ever deepening as you proceed in the Garden.