is surely in Illiyyūn.” This is the counterpart of: “Indeed, the record of the wicked is surely in Sijjīn.” The record of the wicked is in Sijjīn, in the lowest depths of the earth, while the record of the righteous is in Illiyyūn, in the highest reaches of Paradise. That is, they occupy this lofty station, which Allah, Mighty and Majestic, recorded fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.
“And what will make you realize what Illiyyūn is?” That is, what has informed you what Illiyyūn is? This question is intended to magnify and exalt it: whatever may acquaint you with it, it is truly tremendous. Allah Most High says: “It is an inscribed record.” This explains His words, “Indeed, the record of the righteous…” In other words, the record of the righteous is an inscribed, written record that will neither be altered nor changed.
“Witnessed by those brought near.” “Witnessed” may mean that those brought near attend it, or that they testify to it. Those brought near in Allah’s sight are those who draw near to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, by obeying Him. The more obedient a person is to Allah, the nearer he is to Allah. The more humble he is before Allah, the greater his honor and the higher his rank in Allah’s sight. Allah Most High says:
“Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge.” [The Pleading Woman: 11].
Those brought near, therefore, are those who drew near to Allah Most High through righteous deeds, so Allah brought them near to Him.
“Indeed, the righteous…” A righteous person abounds in goodness, obedience, and excellence—both in worshipping Allah and in treating Allah’s servants well. These are the righteous whom Allah has blessed with performing good deeds and forsaking evil deeds.
“They will surely be in bliss.” Here, bliss encompasses both bodily bliss and the bliss of the heart. As for bodily bliss, it is beyond description, for Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says concerning Paradise:
“Therein is whatever souls desire and eyes delight in, and therein you will abide forever.” [Ornaments of Gold: 71].
He Most High also says:
“No soul knows what delights have been hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.” [Prostration: 17].
As for the bliss of the heart, it too is beyond description. After they have witnessed death being slaughtered, they will be told, “O people of Paradise, everlasting life and no