As for their food, He says:
“They will have no food except a thorny plant, which neither nourishes nor satisfies hunger.”
They say that this is a plant with enormous thorns. Once it dries, not even livestock will graze upon it, though camels graze upon it while it is green. In our region, it is called shibriq. They will thus be in the Fire of Hell—Allah protect us—with nothing to eat but this thorny plant. Yet do not imagine that the thorny plant in the Fire of Hell is like its counterpart in this world; it differs from it immensely. Hence He says, “It neither nourishes,” meaning that it provides no outward benefit to their bodies, “nor satisfies hunger,” meaning that it provides them no inward benefit. There is nothing good in it: only thorns, the agony of swallowing it, bitterness, and a putrid stench from which they derive no benefit whatsoever.
Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, then mentioned the second category of people on the Day of the Overwhelming Event, saying:
“On that Day some faces will be blissful, well pleased with their striving, in a lofty Garden, where they will hear no idle speech. Therein is a flowing spring, raised couches, cups set ready, cushions arranged in rows, and carpets spread out.”
“On that Day some faces will be blissful,” meaning blissful because of the joy and immense reward Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has granted them. They will already have learned of this while in their graves, for a person experiences bliss in his grave: a gate to Paradise is opened for him, and its breeze and bliss reach him. Thus, those faces will be blissful.
“Well pleased with their striving,” means that they will be pleased with the deeds they performed in this world, for through them they attained this bliss, delight, and joy. They will therefore be pleased with their striving, unlike the first group of faces, which will be angry—Allah protect us—and displeased with what they sent ahead.
“In a lofty Garden.” Paradise is the abode of bliss that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has prepared for His devoted servants on the Day of Resurrection. Within it is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor—