“Indeed, with Us they are among the chosen, the excellent. And remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl; all were among the excellent. This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is an excellent return.”

That is: what is recited to you is a reminder—that is, an honour and a good repute by which you will be remembered. “And indeed, for the righteous is an excellent return.”

“Gardens of perpetual residence, with their gates opened for them, (50) reclining therein, calling therein for abundant fruit and drink, (51) and with them will be women of restrained gaze, equal in age. (52) This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning. (53) Indeed, this is Our provision, which will never be exhausted. (54) This is so; and indeed, for the transgressors is the worst return: (55) Hell, which they will enter—what an evil resting place! (56) This, then: let them taste it—scalding water and gassaq. (57)”

“Gardens of perpetual residence, with their gates opened for them”: that is, its gates are opened for them (1).

“Reclining therein, calling therein for abundant fruit and drink, and with them will be women of restrained gaze, equal in age”: that is, alike in age—thirty-three years old. The singular is tirb. Mujahid said: “They are harmonious with one another; they neither hate nor envy one another” (2).

“This is what you are promised”: Ibn Kathir recited it here and in Surah Qaf as “what they are promised,” meaning: what the righteous are promised. Abu Amr agreed with him here. The rest recited it in the second person in both places, meaning: Say to the believers, “This is what you are promised, for the Day of Reckoning”—that is, on the Day of Reckoning (3).

“Indeed, this is Our provision, which will never be exhausted”: that is, it will neither perish nor cease.

“This is so; and indeed, for the transgressors”—that is, the disbelievers—“is the worst return”: the worst destination.

“Hell, which they will enter” (4), “what an evil resting place!”

“This”—that is, this punishment—“then let them taste it: scalding water and gassaq.” Al-Farra said: That is, “This is scalding water and gassaq, so let them taste it.” Scalding water is water whose heat has reached its utmost intensity.