Transliteration:( Jazaa-uhum inda rabbihim jan naatu 'adnin tajree min tahtihal an haaru khalideena feeha abada; radiy-yallaahu 'anhum wa ra du 'an zaalika liman khashiya rabbah. )
From the verse emerge the following key issues:
1. Worldly Bounties as Tests, Not Rewards
Temporary Allowance: Worldly blessings (wealth, health, status) are not rewards for piety but tests or provisions (rizq) from Allah. Calamities, too, are trials to elevate believers’ ranks.
Quranic Basis:
وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّـهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ
“But seek, through what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter.”
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:77)
2. Hereafter’s Rewards: Harvest of Faith and Deeds
Divine Exchange: Eternal bliss in Paradise is earned through sincere faith (iman) and righteous deeds (amal salih).
Analogy: “If you desire good in the Hereafter, sow good in this world.”
3. The World as a Transient Stage
Temporary Arena: The world is a fleeting testing ground, while Paradise is the true abode (dar al-qarar).
Metaphor: Just as minerals belong to mines, humanity’s ultimate home is Paradise.
4. Permanence of Paradise
Eternal Abode: Once entered, Paradise is irrevocable. Death and expulsion do not exist there.
Clarification: Adam’s (عليه السلام) temporary stay in Paradise and the Prophet’s (ﷺ) visit during Isra wal-Mi’raj were preludes, not eternal rewards.
Allah’s Pleasure: The Ultimate Reward
رَّضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ
“Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:8)
Divine Pleasure as the Greatest Bounty
The joy of Allah’s approval surpasses all Paradise’s luxuries. Prophets and martyrs (e.g., Ibrahim, Husain رضي الله عنه) prioritized this pleasure over worldly attachments.
Example: Muslim soldiers seek martyrdom not for glory but to attain Allah’s satisfaction.
A Divine Gift, Not a Transaction
Allah’s pleasure (ridwan) and the Beatific Vision (ru’yatullah) are special favors, not direct “payments” for deeds.
Signs of Divine Pleasure:
Guidance to righteousness.
Love in people’s hearts.
Angelic intercession.
Signs of Human Pleasure with Allah:
Contentment in all circumstances (prosperity/adversity).
Joyful compliance with divine commands.
مَنْ خَشِيَ الرَّحْمَـٰنَ بِالْغَيْبِ
“Who fears the Most Merciful unseen.” (Surah Qaf 50:33)
Types of Fear
Fear of Harm (e.g., fearing a scorpion): Leads to hatred.
Fear of Oppression (e.g., fearing a tyrant): Rooted in injustice.
Fear of Love (e.g., a child’s awe for a compassionate parent): Inspires obedience.
True Fear of Allah:
Awe Rooted in Love: Proportional to one’s faith (iman). The stronger the faith, the deeper the reverence.
Outcomes:
Freedom from fear of creation.
Creation fears the God-conscious believer.
Honorifics for the Pious
The phrase Radiyallahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him) applies to all righteous believers, not just the Companions.
Quranic Basis:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the best of creatures.”
(Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:7)
Worldly vs. Eternal: Earthly life is a test; true success lies in earning Allah’s pleasure for Paradise.
Divine Pleasure: The apex of spiritual achievement, transcending material rewards.
Righteous Fear: A love-driven reverence that liberates the heart from worldly anxieties.
Universal Honor: Piety elevates any believer, making them worthy of honorifics like Radiyallahu Anhu.
The tafsir of Surah Bayyinah verse 8 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Bayyinah ayat 6 which provides the complete commentary from verse 6 through 8.
(98:8) Their recompense lies with their Lord: Gardens of eternity beneath which rivers flow; therein they shall dwell, forever and ever. Allah is well-pleased with them, and they are well-pleased with Him. All this is for him who fears his Lord.[11]
11. In other words, the person who did not live in theworld fearlessly and independent of God, but feared Him atevery step lest he should do something which might entailHis wrath and punishment, will have this reward reservedfor him with Allah.
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