(19–35) “Indeed, man was created anxious: * when evil touches him, he becomes impatient, * and when good touches him, he becomes withholding—* except those who pray, * those who remain constant in their prayers; * those in whose wealth there is a known right * for the beggar and the deprived; * those who affirm the Day of Recompense; * those who are apprehensive of their Lord’s punishment—* indeed, none can feel secure from their Lord’s punishment; * those who guard their chastity, * except with their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy. * But whoever seeks anything beyond that—it is they who are the transgressors; * those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants; * those who uphold their testimonies; * and those who carefully maintain their prayers. * They will be honored in gardens.”

This description applies to man insofar as it describes his original nature: he is anxious.

This anxiety is explained by the words, “When evil touches him, he becomes impatient.” Thus, if afflicted by poverty or illness, or by the loss of something dear to him—whether wealth, family, or children—he becomes distressed and does not respond with patience and contentment with what Allah has decreed.

“And when good touches him, he becomes withholding.” He does not spend from what Allah has given him, nor does he thank Allah for His blessings and kindness. Thus, he is impatient in adversity and withholding in prosperity.

“Except those who pray,” who are described by the qualities that follow. When good touches them, they thank Allah and spend from what Allah has granted them; and when evil touches them, they remain patient and seek Allah’s reward.

His words describing them, “Those who remain constant in their prayers,” mean that they consistently perform them at their prescribed times, fulfilling their conditions and completing all that perfects them.

They are unlike those who do not pray, who pray only at certain times, or who perform their prayers deficiently.

“Those in whose wealth there is a known right,” consisting of zakat and charity,

“for the beggar,” who openly asks, “and the deprived,” meaning the poor person who does not ask people and therefore receive from them, and whose need goes unnoticed so that no one gives him charity.

“Those who affirm the Day of Recompense,” meaning that they believe what Allah and His messengers have disclosed concerning recompense and resurrection. They are certain of it, so they prepare for the Hereafter and strive for it as they ought. Affirming the Day of Recompense necessarily entails affirming the messengers and the scriptures they brought.

“Those who are apprehensive of their Lord’s punishment,” meaning that they are fearful and anxious, and therefore abandon everything that would bring them closer to Allah’s punishment.

“Indeed, none can feel secure from their Lord’s punishment,” for it is a punishment that must be feared and guarded against.

“Those who guard their chastity”: they do not engage in any prohibited intercourse, such as fornication, sodomy, anal intercourse, intercourse during menstruation, or anything similar. They also keep their private parts from being seen or touched by anyone for whom that is impermissible, and they avoid the means leading to prohibited acts and sexual indecency.

“Except with their wives or those whom their right hands possess”—meaning their concubines—“for then they are not blameworthy” for having intercourse with them in the place intended for procreation.

“But whoever seeks anything beyond that”—that is, beyond a wife or one possessed by the right hand—“it is they who are the transgressors,” who cross from what Allah has permitted into what He has forbidden. This verse establishes the prohibition of [contracting] temporary marriage, because the woman is neither a wife as meant here nor one possessed by the right hand.

“Those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants,” meaning that they attend to them, safeguard them, and strive to discharge and fulfil them. This encompasses every trust between a servant and his Lord, such as private obligations known only to Allah, as well as trusts between the servant and other people concerning wealth and secrets. Likewise, covenants include those made with Allah and those made with other people. A servant will be questioned about his covenant: did he uphold and fulfil it, or did he cast it aside and betray it?

“Those who uphold their testimonies,” meaning that they testify only to what they know, without addition, omission, or concealment. They show no partiality toward a relative, friend, or anyone else, and their aim in giving it (1) should be Allah’s Countenance.

Allah Most High says: “Maintain testimony for Allah,” and: “O you who believe, stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives.”

“And those who carefully maintain their prayers,” by performing them consistently and in the most complete manner.

“They”—those described by these qualities—“will be honored in gardens.” Allah has bestowed upon them such honor and lasting bliss as souls desire and eyes delight in, and they will abide therein forever.

⦗888⦘ In summary, Allah has described the people of happiness and goodness by these perfect qualities and noble traits: acts of bodily worship, such as prayer and constancy in it; deeds of the heart, such as fear of Allah, which prompts every good; financial acts of worship; beneficial beliefs; noble character; and the finest conduct toward Allah and His creation through dealing justly with people and safeguarding their covenants and secrets (2), together with complete chastity by guarding their private parts from everything Allah Most High detests.