(169–171) “Never think that those who were killed in the cause of Allah are dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty and rejoicing over those left behind who have not yet joined them: no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve. They rejoice in a blessing and bounty from Allah, and that Allah does not allow the reward of the believers to be lost.”
These noble verses (1) describe the excellence (2) and honored status of the martyrs and the bounty and beneficence Allah has graciously bestowed upon them. They also console and comfort the living over those who have been slain, encourage them to fight in the cause of Allah, and inspire them to seek martyrdom. He said: “Never think that those who were killed in the cause of Allah”—that is, while striving against the enemies of the religion and intending thereby to make Allah’s word supreme—“are dead.” That is, do not let it enter your mind or suppose that they have died and are gone, and have thus been deprived of the pleasure of worldly life and the enjoyment of its splendor, ⦗157⦘ the loss of which is feared by those who shrink from fighting out of cowardice and have no desire for martyrdom. “Rather,” they have obtained something far greater than that for which people compete. They are “alive with their Lord” in His abode of honor.
The expression “with their Lord” indicates their lofty rank and their nearness to their Lord. They are “receiving provision” consisting of forms of bliss whose nature is known only to the One who bestowed them. Moreover, they are “rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty.” That is, they are delighted by it; their eyes have been comforted and their souls gladdened because of its goodness, abundance, greatness, the perfect delight of attaining it, and the absence of anything that might mar it. Allah has thus combined for them bodily bliss through the provision they receive with the bliss of the heart and soul through their joy in what He has bestowed upon them of His bounty. Their bliss and joy were thereby made complete for them (3). They “rejoice over those left behind who have not yet joined them.” That is, they give one another glad tidings that their brothers who have not yet joined them will arrive and attain what they themselves have attained. “No fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.” That is, they rejoice that everything feared has been removed from them and their brothers, which entails perfect joy.
“They rejoice in a blessing and bounty from Allah.” That is, they congratulate one another upon the greatest cause for congratulations: the blessing, bounty, and beneficence of their Lord. “And Allah does not allow the reward of the believers to be lost.” Rather, He causes it to grow, rewards it graciously, and adds to it from His bounty what their own efforts could never attain.
These verses affirm the bliss of the intermediate realm and that the martyrs occupy the highest station with their Lord. They also affirm that the souls of the righteous meet and visit one another and give one another glad tidings.