- After explaining the ultimate fate of the wretched—the allies of Satan—He mentions the ultimate fate of the blessed—His own allies—saying:
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah’s promise is true, and who is more truthful than Allah in speech?” (1) ⦗205⦘
That is, they “believe” in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree—both its good and its evil—in the manner commanded of them, with knowledge, conviction, and acknowledgment. They also “do righteous deeds” arising from faith.
This encompasses everything they are commanded to do, whether obligatory or recommended—deeds of the heart, the tongue, and all the other limbs. Each person receives the reward assigned for this according to his condition and station and how fully he realizes faith and righteous deeds. He misses whatever reward he would otherwise have received in proportion to his deficiencies in faith and righteous deeds. This accords with what is known of Allah’s wisdom and mercy, as well as His true promise, which is known to anyone who closely examines the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger.
He therefore mentions the reward assigned for this in His words: “We will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow.” They contain what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever conceived: all manner of delicious foods and drinks, wondrous sights, beautiful spouses, palaces, adorned chambers, overhanging trees, extraordinary fruits, melodious sounds, abundant blessings, brothers visiting one another and recalling together in the gardens of Paradise what had passed between them.
Beyond and above all this are Allah’s pleasure with them; their souls’ delight in nearness to Him; their eyes’ delight in beholding Him; and their ears’ delight in hearing Him address them—which causes them to forget every other blessing and joy. Were Allah not to keep them firm, they would soar away and die from sheer joy and delight. How sweet that bliss is! How sublime is what the Generous Lord has bestowed upon them! They attain every form of goodness and delight beyond the power of anyone to describe. The consummation and perfection of all this is their everlasting residence in those lofty dwellings. Hence He says: “Abiding therein forever. Allah’s promise is true, and who is more truthful than Allah in speech?”
Thus Allah the Almighty has spoken the truth. His words and speech attain the utmost degree of truthfulness. Since His speech is true and the information He conveys is reality, everything it signifies—whether by direct correspondence, inclusion, or necessary implication—is intended by His words. The same applies to the words of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, for he reports only at Allah’s command and speaks only from revelation.