(46–65) “Whoever fears standing before his Lord will have two gardens. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * Both with spreading branches. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * In both are two flowing springs. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * In both are two kinds of every fruit. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * They will recline upon couches whose linings are of rich brocade, and the fruit of both gardens will be within easy reach. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * Within them are women who restrain their gaze, untouched before them by any human or jinn. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * As though they were rubies and coral. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * Is the reward for excellence anything but excellence? * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * Below these are two other gardens. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny? * Both lush and dark green. * Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?”—to the end of the surah.

That is, whoever fears his Lord and His watch over him, and consequently refrains from what He has forbidden and does what He has commanded, will have two gardens whose vessels, adornments, buildings, and all that they contain are of gold. One garden is a reward for refraining from forbidden deeds, and the other for performing acts of obedience.

One description of those two gardens is that they are “both with spreading branches” [that is, they contain such varied forms of outward and inward bliss as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever conceived](1), in that (2) they contain many flourishing trees with tender branches bearing abundant, ripe, and delicious fruit. Alternatively, afnān may mean that they possess every variety and kind of bliss, as the plural of fann, meaning “kind.”

In those two gardens are “two flowing springs,” which their inhabitants cause to gush forth as they wish and desire.

“In both are two kinds of every fruit”—that is, two varieties of every type of fruit, each possessing a taste and color not found in the other.

“They will recline upon couches whose linings are of rich brocade.” This describes the couches of the people of Paradise and how they sit upon them: they recline upon them [that is,] in a firmly settled, secure, and [comfortable] posture, like kings seated upon thrones. Only Allah, Mighty and Majestic, knows the true nature and beauty of those couches. Even their linings—the sides facing the ground—are made of rich brocade, the finest and most luxurious silk. What, then, must their upper surfaces, which touch their skin, be like?! (3) “And the fruit of both gardens will be within easy reach.” The word “fruit” here means ripe fruit: the fruit of these two gardens will be easy to reach, accessible to one who is standing, sitting, or reclining.

“Within them are women who restrain their gaze.” They will confine their gaze to their husbands because of their husbands’ beauty and handsomeness and because of their perfect love for them. They will also hold their husbands’ gaze exclusively upon themselves because of their own beauty and the delight of union with them. “Untouched before them by any human or jinn”—that is, no human or jinn will have been intimate with them before their husbands. Rather, they will be affectionate virgins who endear themselves to their husbands through excellent wifely devotion, graceful coquetry, charm, and playful affection. Hence He said:

“As though they were rubies and coral,” because of their purity, beautiful appearance, and splendor.

“Is the reward for excellence anything but excellence?” That is, can the reward of one who worships the Creator with excellence and benefits His servants be anything other than that he be treated with excellence through abundant reward, tremendous triumph, everlasting bliss, and an untroubled life? These two lofty gardens are therefore for those brought near.

“Below these are two other gardens,” whose buildings, vessels, adornments, and all that they contain are of silver. They are for the people of the right.

Those two gardens are “both lush and dark green”—that is, they appear black because of the intensity of their greenery, which results from abundant irrigation.