The third rank is that of the martyrs. It has been said that they are those endowed with knowledge. It has also been said that they are those killed in the cause of Allah. The verse admits both meanings without contradiction. A Quran commentator should understand that whenever a verse admits two meanings that do not contradict one another, it should be interpreted as encompassing both. Thus, the martyrs are those endowed with knowledge and those killed in the cause of Allah. Both groups occupy a lofty rank above all other followers of the messengers except the steadfast affirmers of truth.

Allah says, “And the righteous.” They constitute the lowest of these ranks. Thus, those who believe and perform righteous deeds, despite their differing ranks, are the best of creation—that is, the best of all beings Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—has created.

He then explained their reward, saying:

“Their reward with their Lord is Gardens beneath which rivers flow.”

Here Allah mentioned His praise of the believers who performed righteous deeds before mentioning their reward, because Allah’s praise of them is a greater distinction and a loftier honor. He therefore placed it before the reward they will receive on the Day of Resurrection:

“Their reward with their Lord is Gardens of everlasting residence beneath which rivers flow.”

“Gardens” is plural because they are of different kinds. The Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—said: “There are two gardens of gold, whose vessels and all that they contain are of gold, and two gardens of silver, whose vessels and all that they contain are of silver” (1). This is indicated by Allah’s words, “For whoever fears standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens” [al-Rahmān: 46]. He then described these two Gardens and said, “And below them are two other Gardens” [al-Rahmān: 62].

Thus, they will have Gardens. The Gardens that Allah Most High has mentioned as the reward of the believers who perform righteous deeds are magnificent abodes prepared by Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—for the God-fearing believers. They contain what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever conceived. No one in this world can ever imagine what the bliss of the Hereafter is like, for it is far higher and grander than anything we can conceive. Ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both—said, “Nothing in Paradise is the same as anything in this world except