Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL GHAASYIYAH [8]

8. Faces that Day will be joyful, 9. Glad with their endeavor. 10. In a lofty Paradise. 11. Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood. 12. Therein will be a running spring. 13. Therein will be thrones raised high. 14. And cups set at hand. 15. And Namariq, set in rows. 16. And Zarabi, spread out (Mabthuthah). After mentioning the situation of the wretched people, Allah changes the discussion to mention those who will be happy. He says,

(Faces that Day.) meaning, on the Day of Judgement.

(will be joyful,) meaning, pleasure will be noticeable in them (those faces). This will only occur due to their striving. Sufyan said,

(Glad with their endeavor.) ”They will be pleased with their deeds.'' Then Allah says,

(In a lofty Paradise.) meaning, elevated and brilliant, secure in their dwellings.

(Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood.) meaning, they will not hear in the Paradise that they will be in, any foolish word. This is as Allah says,

(They shall not hear therein any Laghw, but only Salam.) (19:62) Allah also says,

(Free from any Laghw, and free from sin.) (52:23) and He says,

(No Laghw will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech. But only the saying of: ”Salam! Salam!'' ) (56:25-26) Then Allah continues,

(Therein will be a running spring.) meaning, flowing freely. This is mentioned with the intent of emphasizing affirmation. It is not intended to mean that there is only one spring. So here it refers to springs collectively. Thus, the meaning is that in it (Paradise) are flowing springs. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah said,

(The rivers of Paradise spring forth from beneath hills -- or mountains -- of musk.)

(Therein will be thrones raised high.) meaning, lofty, delightful, numerous couches, with elevated ceilings. Upon which will be seated wide-eyed, beautiful maidens. They have mentioned that whenever the friend of Allah wishes to sit on these lofty thrones, they (the thrones) will lower themselves for him.

(And cups set at hand.) meaning, drinking containers that are prepared and presented for whoever among their masters (i.e., the people of Paradise) wants them.

(And Namariq set in rows.) Ibn `Abbas said, ”An-Namariq are pillows.'' This was also said by `Ikrimah, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri and others. Concerning Allah's statement,

(And Zarabi, spread out (Mabthuthah).) Ibn `Abbas said, ”Az-Zarabi are carpets.'' This was also said by Ad-Dahhak and others. Here the word Mabthuthah means placed here and there for whoever would like to sit upon them.