(46–49) “Between them will be a barrier, and on the Heights will be men who recognize each group by their marks. They will call out to the inhabitants of Paradise, ‘Peace be upon you!’ They have not yet entered it, though they hope to. When their eyes are turned toward the inhabitants of the Fire, they will say, ‘Our Lord, do not place us among the wrongdoing people.’ The people of the Heights will call out to men whom they recognize by their marks, saying, ‘Neither your great numbers nor your arrogance have availed you. Are these the ones concerning whom you swore that Allah would never bestow mercy upon them? Enter Paradise! You have nothing to fear, nor will you grieve.’”
That is, between the inhabitants of Paradise and the inhabitants of the Fire is a barrier called the Heights. It belongs neither to Paradise nor to the Fire, but overlooks both abodes, allowing those upon it to see the condition of both groups. On this barrier are men who recognize both the inhabitants of Paradise and the inhabitants of the Fire by their marks—that is, by the signs through which they are known and distinguished. When they see the inhabitants of Paradise, they call out to them, “Peace be upon you!” That is, they greet them and bid them peace. They themselves have not yet entered Paradise, but they hope to enter it. Allah placed this hope in their hearts only because of the honor He intends for them.
“When their eyes are turned toward the inhabitants of the Fire,” and they behold a dreadful sight and a terrifying horror, “they will say, ‘Our Lord, do not place us among the wrongdoing people.’” As for the inhabitants of Paradise, [when the people of the Heights see them] (1), they hope to join them in Paradise and greet them with peace. But when their eyes are turned involuntarily toward the inhabitants of the Fire, they seek refuge with Allah from sharing their condition. This is stated in general terms.
Allah then mentions a specific instance after the general statement: “The people of the Heights will call out to men whom they recognize by their marks.” These men are among the inhabitants of the Fire, though in this world they had possessed pomp and prestige, wealth and children. When the people of the Heights see them isolated in the punishment, without any supporter or rescuer, they will say to them, “Neither your great numbers”—in this world, through which you warded off adversity and sought to attain your worldly aims—“have availed you.” Today, all of that has vanished and is of no benefit to you. Likewise, what benefit did you gain from your arrogance toward the truth, the one who brought it, and those who followed it?
They will then point out to them certain inhabitants of Paradise who had been poor and weak in this world and whom the inhabitants of the Fire used to ridicule. They will say to the inhabitants of the Fire, “Are these”—whom Allah has admitted into Paradise—“the ones concerning whom you swore that Allah would never bestow mercy upon them?” You did so out of contempt and disdain for them and admiration for yourselves. Your oaths have proven false, and there has appeared to you from Allah what you had never expected. “Enter Paradise” because of what you used to do. That is, these weak people will be told, by way of honor and esteem, “Enter Paradise because of your righteous deeds. You have nothing to fear” from any adversity to come, “nor will you grieve” over anything past. Rather, you will be safe, reassured, and rejoicing in every good.
This is like the statement of Allah Most High: “Indeed, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. When they passed by them, they would wink at one another,” up to His words: “But on that Day the believers will laugh at the disbelievers, looking on from couches.”
The scholars and Quran commentators differed concerning who the people of the Heights are and what deeds they performed. The correct view is that they are people whose good and bad deeds are equal. Their bad deeds did not outweigh their good deeds, which would have caused them to enter the Fire, nor did their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, which would have caused them to enter Paradise. They will therefore remain on the Heights for as long as Allah wills. Allah Most High will then admit them into Paradise by His mercy, for His mercy precedes and overcomes His wrath, and His mercy encompasses all things.