Juz 23: Yā Sīn 28 to Az-Zumar 31
Section 9 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
9. Conversation Between Paradise Dwellers
When Allah describes the rewards of Paradise, He not only speaks of physical pleasures but also of meaningful social interactions that will bring joy to the believers. In verses 50-61 of Surah As-Saffat, Allah provides a remarkable glimpse into the conversations that will take place among the inhabitants of Paradise. These conversations reveal much about human psychology and how past experiences shape our appreciation of divine blessings.
Allah depicts a scene where the inhabitants of Paradise will engage in conversation with one another:
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ
“Then they will turn to each other, asking questions." (37:50)”
The believers in Paradise will recall their past lives, the challenges they faced, and how they resisted temptations. One of them will speak about a companion he had in the worldly life who used to mock belief in resurrection:
قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ إِنِّي كَانَ لِي قَرِينٌ
“A speaker from them will say, 'I had a companion'" (37:51)”
يَقُولُ أَإِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الْمُصَدِّقِينَ
“who used to say, 'Are you one of those who believe that" (37:52)”
أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ
“when we die and become dust and bones, shall we really be raised for judgment?'" (37:53)”
This verse captures the common skepticism about resurrection that many disbelievers express. The believer in Paradise will then express curiosity about what happened to his former companion:
قَالَ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ
“He will say, 'Would you like to look (to know about him)?'" (37:54)”
Allah allows the believer to observe his former companion's fate in Hellfire:
فَاطَّلَعَ فَرَآهُ فِي سَوَاءِ الْجَحِيمِ
“So he will look and will see him in the middle of the Hell." (37:55)”
Upon seeing his former friend in Hellfire, the believer will address him directly:
قَالَ تَاللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ
“He will say, 'By Allah, you were about to ruin me." (37:56)”
وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِينَ
“And had it not been for the favor of my Lord, I would have been among those brought forward (for punishment)." (37:57)”
In these powerful verses, Allah reveals the deep gratitude the believer feels for being saved from disbelief. He recognizes how close he had come to being led astray by his companion's skepticism. The believer's reflection demonstrates how Paradise's inhabitants will fully appreciate the magnitude of Allah's favor upon them.
The believer then expresses his amazement at his own eternal bliss:
أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ
“Is it not that we are not going to die," (37:58)”
إِلَّا مَوْتَتَنَا الْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
“except our first death, and that we are not going to be punished?" (37:59)”
This realization of eternal life and permanent safety from punishment causes the believer to exclaim:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, this is the great achievement." (37:60)”
Allah concludes this passage with a profound statement:
لِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْعَامِلُونَ
“For the like of this, then, should the workers work." (37:61)”
This verse provides a powerful motivation for believers. Allah is telling us that Paradise—with its eternal bliss, meaningful relationships, and freedom from fear and sorrow—is the ultimate goal worth striving for. All our worship, sacrifices, and struggles in the worldly life should be directed toward achieving this supreme success.
These conversations between Paradise dwellers reveal that in the Hereafter, believers will appreciate Allah's guidance even more fully than they did in the worldly life. They will understand how close they might have come to eternal loss, and this realization will make their joy in Paradise even more profound.