“17–20. Indeed, the God-fearing will be amid Gardens and bliss, * rejoicing in what their Lord has given them; and their Lord will have protected them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire. * ‘Eat and drink with enjoyment for what you used to do,’ * reclining on couches arranged in rows; and We shall wed them to fair women with beautiful eyes.”
After mentioning the punishment of those who denied the truth, Allah Most High mentions the bliss of the God-fearing, thereby combining encouragement with warning so that hearts remain between fear and hope. Thus He says: “Indeed, the God-fearing”—those who fear their Lord and guard themselves against His wrath and punishment by taking the means that avert them: obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.
“Amid Gardens,” meaning orchards whose meadows are filled with dense trees and coursing rivers, and which are encircled by palaces and ornate dwellings; “and bliss.” [This] includes the bliss of the heart, soul, and body.
“Rejoicing in what their Lord has given them,” meaning that they delight in it and enjoy, with gladness and joy, the indescribable bliss Allah has granted them. No soul knows what delight for the eyes has been hidden away for them. He will also have protected them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire. Thus, He granted them what they loved, ⦗815⦘ and delivered them from what they feared, because they did what Allah loves and kept away from what angers and displeases Him.
“Eat and drink,” meaning from whatever your souls desire of the [various kinds of] delicious foods and drinks; “with enjoyment,” meaning taking pleasure in those foods and drinks (1) with gladness, joy, delight, and jubilation. “For what you used to do,” meaning: You attained all that you attained because of your righteous deeds and commendable words.
“Reclining on couches arranged in rows.” Reclining means sitting securely, comfortably, and at ease. The couches are adorned with all manner of decoration, including fine coverings and splendid bedding.
Allah describes the couches as being arranged in rows to indicate their great number, their beautiful arrangement, and the gathering and joy of their occupants owing to their pleasant companionship and gentle speech toward one another (2). Once they have attained unimaginable and inconceivable bliss of heart, soul, and body—including [delicious] foods and drinks and beautiful, elegant gatherings—nothing remains except the enjoyment of women, without whom their delight would not be complete (3). Allah therefore states that, as wives, they will have women of the most perfect attributes, physical form, and character. Thus He says: “And We shall wed them to fair women with beautiful eyes.” These are women who combine outward beauty and radiance with noble character to such a degree that their beauty leaves all who behold them spellbound and captivates the minds of mankind. Hearts almost take flight (4) out of longing for them and yearning to be united with them. The beautiful-eyed are those whose lovely eyes have perfectly clear whites and blacks.