Al Islam

2939. The "two gardens" may signify, (1) peace of mind which is the result of leading a good life, and (2) freedom from gnawing cares and anxieties which come in the wake of life spent in the pursuit of material pleasures and comforts. One "garden" consists in giving up one’s desires for the sake of God in this world and the other in being blessed with God’s pleasure in the next. A true believer perpetually basks in the sun of God’s grace in this life which cares cannot disturb. This is Paradise upon earth which is granted to a God- fearing man and in which he constantly dwells; the promised heaven in the next world is only an image of the present Paradise, being an embodiment of the spiritual blessings which such a one enjoys in this life. It is to this paradisiacal state of a true believer that the Qur’an refers in 10:65 and 41:32. The "two gardens" may also be the two fertile valleys watered by two sets of rivers—Jaihan and Saihan; and Furat and Nil, which according to the Hadith are the rivers of Paradise (Muslim). These two valleys fell into the hands of Muslims in the caliphate of ‘Umar. (close)

b. 79:41-42. (close)

4074. Commentary:

The foregoing verses have dealt with the very important subject, viz. that progress and advance in material sciences which makes man devote his whole attention and effort to the pursuit of physical pleasures and comforts and leads him away from God, results in loss of mental poise and peace which in the Quranic terminology is also called Hell—another name for international conflicts and wars. In the present and the following few verses we are told that pursuit of spiritual knowledge and higher moral values gives man perfect contentment and equanimity in this life and in the Hereafter.

The "two Gardens" referred to in the present verse may signify peace of mind which is the result of leading a good life and freedom from gnawing cares and anxieties which come in the wake of life spent in the pursuit of material pleasures and comforts. One Paradise consists in giving up one’s desires for the sake of God in this world and the other in being blessed with God’s pleasure in the next. A true believer perpetually basks in the sun of God’s grace in this life which cares cannot disturb. This is Paradise upon earth which is granted to a God-fearing man and in which he constantly dwells; the promised Heaven in the next world is only an image of the present Paradise, being an embodiment of the spiritual blessings which such a man enjoys in this life. It is to this paradisiacal state of a true believer that the two Quranic verses refer, viz. "We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter," (41:32) and "for them are glad tidings in the present life and also in the Hereafter" (10:65).

The "two Gardens" may also refer to the mighty Byzantine and Iranian Empires of which the conquest was promised to the Muslims. The Holy Prophet in a vision was given the keys of the palaces of the Emperors of Constantinople and Iran. The vision was literally fulfilled during the Caliphate of ‘Umar when these countries were conquered by Muslim armies. The fact that in a hadith, Saihan and Jaihan, the two rivers of Iran; and Furat (the Euphrates) and Nil (the Nile) have been spoken of as the rivers of Paradise (Muslim), lends powerful support to the view that the "Gardens" spoken of in the verse were the fertile valleys watered by these two sets, each of two rivers. (close)

2940. Just as in the present life true believers undergo various kinds of tribulations for the sake of their Lord and do all sorts of good and righteous deeds, so in the next life those tribulations and good works will assume the form of flowers and fruits of various hues and tastes. (close)

4075. Commentary:

Just as in the present life true believers had undergone many kinds of sacrifice for the sake of their Lord and had done all sorts of good and righteous deeds, so in the next life those sacrifices and good works will assume the form of flowers and fruits of various hues and tastes. This seems to be the meaning of this verse. (close)

2941. The two fountains flowing freely may be the spiritual embodiments of Huququllah (the obligations owed to God) and Huququl-‘Ibad (the obligations a Muslim owes to his fellow-beings) which the believers fully and faithfully discharge in this life. The discharge of these two obligations would assume the form of two fountains in the Hereafter. As a true believer ceaselessly continues to discharge these obligations, the fountains have been depicted as constantly flowing. (close)

4076. Commentary:

The "two fountains running freely" may be the spiritual embodiments of حقوق اللّٰه (the obligations owed to God) and حقوق العباد (the obligations a Muslim owes to his fellow beings) which the believers had fully and faithfully discharged in this life. The discharge of these two obligations would assume the form of two fountains in the Hereafter. As a true believer ceaselessly continues to discharge these obligations, the fountains have been depicted as constantly flowing. (close)

a. 44:56; 52:23; 56:21. (close)

2942. Again the word "pairs" may metaphorically represent two kinds of righteous works of the believers—(1) those they do for their own spiritual advancement and (2) those services which they render to their fellow-beings. (close)

a. 44:56; 52:23; 56:21. (close)

4077. Commentary:

Again the word زوجان (pairs) may spiritually represent two kinds of righteous works of the believers—(1) those they had done for their own spiritual advancement and (2) those services which they had rendered to their fellow beings. (close)

b. 38:52. (close)

2943. Three times the words "two gardens" have been used in this Surah. This is to emphasize that apart from the great blessings and boons of Paradise in the next world, believers will have all the good things of this world also. (close)

b. 18:32; 52:21; 76:14; 83:24. (close)

4078. Important Words:

جنا (ripe fruits) is derived from جنی. They say جنی الثمرة i.e. he gathered or plucked the fruit from the tree while it was fresh.جنی العلیٰ means, he acquired eminence or nobility. جنا means, whatever is gathered or plucked from the tree while fresh; fruit just gathered or plucked; fruit ready to be plucked; ripe fruit (Lane).

Commentary:

Three times the words "two Gardens" have been used in this Surah. This is to emphasize that apart from the great blessings and boons of Paradise in the next world, true believers will have all the good things of this world also. The Surah was revealed early at Mecca when only a few persons had accepted Islam and even those few were very poor and without worldly means and were being harried and harassed and most of them had to take refuge in Abyssinia from the bitter persecution of the Quraish. It was then that the promise was made to them that one day they would recline on couches placed on rich carpets. This Divine promise was literally fulfilled in the lifetime of the very Muslims who, while at Mecca, did not know where to lay their heads.

The "inner linings being of thick brocade" implies a beautiful hint that the inner-self of a believer is purer and more beautiful than his outer-self. (close)