Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us; Ahmad ibn Abd Allah al-Nu'aymi informed us; Muhammad ibn Yusuf informed us; Muhammad ibn Isma'il informed us; Ishaq ibn Nasr informed us; Abu Usamah informed us, from al-A'mash; Abu Salih informed us, from Abu Hurayrah, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: “Allah says: ‘I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—a treasure held in reserve, beyond what you have been shown.’” He then recited: “No soul knows what comfort for the eyes has been hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.”
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “This is among that which has no interpretation.” It is also related from some of them that they said: “They concealed their deeds, so Allah concealed their reward.”
“Is one who is a believer then like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal (18). As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them shall be Gardens of Refuge, as a welcome reward for what they used to do (19). But as for those who defiantly disobey, their refuge shall be the Fire. Whenever they wish to leave it, they shall be returned to it, and it shall be said to them: ‘Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny’ (20).”
His saying, exalted is He: “Is one who is a believer then like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal”—was revealed concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib and al-Walid ibn Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt, the maternal brother of Uthman. A dispute and an exchange of words had arisen between them over a matter, and al-Walid ibn Uqbah said to Ali: “Be silent, for you are but a boy. By Allah, I am more eloquent than you in speech, sharper than you with the spear, braver in heart, and more imposing than you in the ranks.” Ali said to him: “Be silent, for you are indeed defiantly disobedient.” Thereupon Allah, exalted is He, revealed: “Is one who is a believer then like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal.” (1)
He did not say, “The two are not equal,” because He did not intend one believer and one defiantly disobedient person; rather, He intended all believers and all those who are defiantly disobedient. “As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them shall be Gardens of Refuge”—to which the believers shall resort—“as a welcome reward for what they used to do. But as for those who defiantly disobey, their refuge shall be the Fire. Whenever they wish to leave it, they shall be returned to it, and it shall be said to them: ‘Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny.’”