death (1). They will also be told, “Enter it in peace.” And they will be told, “You shall enjoy bliss and never suffer misery; you shall remain healthy and never fall ill; and you shall remain young and never grow old” (2). All of this brings joy to the heart, so they will thereby enjoy both the bliss of the heart and the bliss of the body.
(The angels will enter upon them from every gate), saying, “Peace be upon you for your steadfastness. How excellent is the ultimate abode!” [Thunder: 24]. May Allah make us among them.
Regarding His words, “Upon couches,” the word “couches” is the plural of arīka, meaning an ornate, decorated couch over which something resembling a canopy has been placed. It is among the finest kinds of beds. Thus, they will be upon these soft, beautiful, splendid couches, “gazing”—that is, gazing upon the blessings Allah has bestowed upon them, bliss that souls cannot now conceive: “No soul knows what delights have been hidden for them.” [Prostration: 17].
Some scholars have said that this gazing includes even looking upon Allah’s Face, and they regarded this verse as evidence affirming that Allah, Glorious and Exalted, will be seen in Paradise.
“You will recognize in their faces the radiance of bliss.” That is, as you look upon them, you will recognize “in their faces the radiance of bliss”—its beauty and splendor, meaning the effects of their blissful life. Even now, in this world, you observe that the faces of those who live in ease and luxury differ from the faces of those who toil and labor. You find them radiant, beautiful, and marked by ease. Likewise, the radiance of bliss will be recognizable in the faces of the people of Paradise—that is, the signs of their ease and joy—because they will be as joyful and blissful as anyone could possibly be.
Allah Most High then says, explaining the bliss they will enjoy: “They will be given a sealed, pure wine to drink.” The pronoun “they” refers to the righteous. Allah, Glorious and Exalted, will give them drink at the hands of attendants whom He described in His words: “Ever-young youths will circulate among them, with cups, pitchers, and a chalice filled from a flowing spring. They will suffer no headaches