Allah says that truly,
[إِنَّ كِتَـبَ
الاٌّبْرَارِ]
(Verily, the Record of Al-Abrar (the righteous believers)) These people are
in a situation that is the opposite of the wicked people.
[لَفِى
عِلِّيِّينَ]
(is in `Illiyyin.) meaning, their final destination is `Illiyyin, which is
the opposite of Sijjin. It has been reported from Hilal bin Yasaf that Ibn
`Abbas asked Ka`b about Sijjin while he was present, and Ka`b said, "It is the
seventh earth and in it are the souls of the disbelievers.'' Then Ibn `Abbas
asked him about `Illiyyin, so he said, "It is the seventh heaven and it contains
the souls of the believers.'' This statement -- that it is the seventh heaven --
has been said by others as well. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas
said concerning Allah's statement,
[كَلاَّ إِنَّ
كِتَـبَ الاٌّبْرَارِ لَفِى عِلِّيِّينَ ]
(Nay! Verily, the Record of Al-Abrar (the righteous believers) is in
`Illiyyin.) "This means Paradise.'' Others besides him have said, "`Iliyyin is
located at Sidrat Al-Muntaha.'' The obvious meaning is that the word `Illiyyin
is taken from the word `Uluw, which means highness. The more something ascends
and rises, the more it becomes greater and increases. Thus, Allah magnifies its
affair and extols its matter by saying,
[وَمَآ أَدْرَاكَ مَا
عِلِّيُّونَ ]
(And what will make you know what `Illiyyin is) Then He says by way of
affirming what will be written for them,
[كِتَـبٌ مَّرْقُومٌ
يَشْهَدُهُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ]
(A Register inscribed. To which bear witness those nearest.) They are the
angels. This was stated by Qatadah. Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas that he
said, "Those nearest to Allah in each heaven will witness it.'' Then Allah says,
[إِنَّ الاٌّبْرَارَ
لَفِى نَعِيمٍ ]
(Verily, Al-Abrar (the righteuos believers) will be in Delight.) meaning, on
the Day of Judgement they will be in eternal pleasure and gardens that contain
comprehensive bounties.
[عَلَى
الاٌّرَائِكِ]
(On thrones,) These are thrones beneath canopies from which they will be
gazing. It has been said, "This means that they will be gazing at their kingdom
and what Allah has given them of good and bounties that will not end or perish.
It has also been said,
[عَلَى الاٌّرَآئِكِ
يَنظُرُونَ ]
(On thrones, looking.) "This means that they will be looking at Allah, the
Mighty and Sublime.'' This is the opposite of what those wicked people have been
described with,
[كَلاَّ إِنَّهُمْ
عَن رَّبِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّمَحْجُوبُونَ ]
(Nay! Surely, they (evildoers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that
Day.) (83:15) Thus, it has been mentioned that these (righteous people) will be
allowed to look at Allah while they are upon their thrones and elevated couches.
Concerning Allah's statement,
[تَعْرِفُ فِى
وُجُوهِهِمْ نَضْرَةَ النَّعِيمِ ]
(You will recognize in their faces the brightness of delight.) meaning, `you
will notice a glow of delight in their faces when you look at them.' This is a
description of opulence, decorum, happiness, composure, and authority that they
will be experiencing from this great delight. Concerning Allah's statement,
[يُسْقَوْنَ مِن
رَّحِيقٍ مَّخْتُومٍ ]
(They will be given to drink of pure sealed Rahiq.) meaning, they will be
given drink from the wine of Paradise. Ar-Rahiq is one of the names of the wine
(in Paradise). Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and Ibn Zayd
all said this. Ibn Mas`ud said concerning Allah's statement,
[خِتَـمُهُ
مِسْكٌ]
(Sealed with musk,) "This means it will be mixed with musk.'' Al-`Awfi
reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said, "Allah will make the wine have a pleasant
aroma for them, so the last thing that He will place in it will be musk. Thus,
it will be sealed with musk.'' Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak both said the same. Then
Allah says,
[وَفِى ذَلِكَ
فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَـفِسُونَ]
(and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive.) meaning, for a
situation like this, let the boasters boast, compete, and strive to gain more.
Let the competitors compete and race toward the likes of this. This is similar
to Allah's statement,
[لِمِثْلِ هَـذَا
فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْعَـمِلُونَ ]
(For the like of this let the workers work.) (37:61) Allah then says,
[وَمِزَاجُهُ مِن
تَسْنِيمٍ ]
(It will be mixed with Tasnim.) meaning, this wine that is being described is
mixed with Tasnim. This refers to a drink called Tasnim, and it is the most
excellent and exalted drink of the people of Paradise. This was said by Abu
Salih and Ad-Dahhak. Thus, Allah says,
[عَيْناً يَشْرَبُ
بِهَا الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ]
(A spring whereof drink those nearest to Allah.) (83:28) meaning, those who
are near to Allah, will drink from it as they wish, and the companions of the
right hand will be given a drink that is mixed with it. This has been said by
Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, Masruq, Qatadah and others.
[إِنَّ الَّذِينَ
أَجْرَمُواْ كَانُواْ مِنَ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ يَضْحَكُونَ - وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ
بِهِمْ يَتَغَامَزُونَ - وَإِذَا انقَلَبُواْ إِلَى أَهْلِهِمْ انقَلَبُواْ
فَكِهِينَ - وَإِذَا رَأَوْهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّ هَـؤُلاَءِ لَضَآلُّونَ - وَمَآ
أُرْسِلُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ حَـفِظِينَ - فَالْيَوْمَ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنَ
الْكُفَّارِ يَضْحَكُونَ عَلَى الاٌّرَآئِكِ يَنظُرُونَ هَلْ ثُوِّبَ الْكُفَّارُ
مَا كَانُواْ يَفْعَلُونَ ]
(29. Verily, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed.)
(30. And, whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another.) (31. And
when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting;) (32. And
when they saw them, they said: "Verily, these have indeed gone astray!'') (33.
But they were not sent as watchers over them.) (34. But this Day those who
believe will laugh at the disbelievers) (35. On thrones, looking.) (36. Are not
the disbelievers paid for what they used to do)