88:8 Some faces on that day will be radiant,
88:9 well-pleased with their striving,
88:10 in a lofty Garden,
88:11 where they will hear no idle talk,
88:12 therein is a running spring,
88:13 therein are raised couches,
88:14 and cups placed ready,
88:15 and cushions ranged,
88:16 and carpets spread out.
Relationship with the Previous Part
The previous part mentions the evil end of the wicked disbelievers on the Day of Judgment and it mentions the severe punishment that they will suffer in Hell. Then the surah mentions the happy end of the believers and refers to some of the rewards that Allah has prepared for them in Paradise. This is a typical characteristic of the style of the Quran. It mentions something and then it mentions its opposite to bring the intended meaning home to those who reflect on the meanings of the Quran.
Tafsir
88:8 Some faces on that day will be radiant,
88:9 well-pleased with their striving,
88:10 in a lofty Garden,
On the Day of Judgment, the faces of the believers will be radiant because of the immense pleasures they will be enjoying in Paradise that Allah has given them as a recompense for their righteous deeds in the worldly life.
The believers will be well-pleased with their striving in the worldly life as they will have a great reward even more than what they expected and hoped. They used to work hard in the worldly life to please Allah and they will find the fruits of this striving in Paradise where they will happy.
The believers will dwell in the lofty Garden of Paradise. It is a lofty place and has a lofty rank.
88:11 where they will hear no idle talk,
The believers will hear no idle talk nor falsehood in Paradise. They will hear only a pleasant talk that brings happiness to the soul. The inhabitants of Paradise will speak pleasant talks that contain wisdom and praise and thankfulness to Allah for all the blessings that He has given them. Indeed, Paradise is the dwelling of Allah’s friends and the house of the chosen ones. It will not be contaminated by falsehood nor idle talks.
88:12 therein is a running spring,
88:13 therein are raised couches,
88:14 and cups placed ready,
88:15 and cushions ranged,
88:16 and carpets spread out.
The ayah mentions some aspects of Allah’s blessings on the believers in Paradise. First, there is a running spring in Paradise from which the believers will always drink pure and fresh water. Second, the believers will comfortably sit on beautiful, raised couches. Third, there are cups that are placed ready for the believers to drink from Paradise water and tasty drinks, which will have no negative effects on their minds. They will drink from them without having to exert any effort to have or fill them. Fourth, there will be many beautiful cushions that are ranged one after another so that the believer can recline on them and sit comfortably. Fifth, there are large and luxurious carpets that are spread out in Paradise, where the believers can sit and enjoy the great reward that Allah has prepared for them. May Allah, out of His bounty and generosity, make us of the dwellers of Paradise.
Learned Lessons from Surah al-Ghashiyah Ayah 8-16
• Allah has described Paradise, the dwelling of the believers, with wonderful attributes that make people hope to enter it by worshipping Allah alone, and performing righteous deeds for Allah’s sake.
• The faces of the believers will be well-pleased in Paradise as they will be happy with the immense reward that Allah has given them for believing in His Oneness and performing righteous deeds for His sake in the worldly life.
• Paradise, the dwelling of the believers, is lofty, i.e. on a lofty place and has a lofty rank. It has what the souls desire and makes the hearts happy.
• The believers will not hear idle talk in Paradise, as it dwelling of peace and safety.
• The believers will enjoy different kinds of blessings in Paradise, such as drinking from a running spring, sitting on raised couches, having cups that are placed ready for them to use, cushions that are ranged one after another, and large and beautiful carpets on which they can sit comfortably.
The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah al-Ghashiyah
The Noble Quran Tafsir ibn Khathir, Surah al-Ghashiyah Englis Translation
The Noble Quran, English Translation and Tafsir, Surah al-A'la Ayah 1-8Glorifying Allah & His Ability
The Noble Quran Surah Hud English Translation and Tafsir
