|1. This Ayah mirrors the previous warnings
Ibn Kathīr explains that after Allah mentioned the three categories of people at the opening of the surah:
- The believers (2:1–5)
- The disbelievers (2:6–7)
- The hypocrites (2:8–20)
—and after describing the Qur’an’s truth and the challenge to produce something like it (2:23–24),
Allah now gives glad tidings to those who actually follow it.
The flow is:
- Threat for rejecters
- Comfort and reward for those who respond to guidance
This style of pairing warning with mercy is frequent in the Qur’an.
2. Meaning of “Give glad tidings…”
Ibn Kathīr says the wording بَشِّر (“give glad tidings”) indicates news that brings happiness, and that the Prophet ﷺ is the one instructed to deliver this news.
It means:
Announce to the believers that something magnificent awaits them.
3. “Those who believe and do righteous deeds”
Ibn Kathīr stresses:
- Faith (īmān) is affirmation in the heart,
- Righteous deeds (ʿamal ṣāliḥ) are the proof of that faith.
He quotes Ibn ʿAbbās:
“Belief is affirmation with the tongue and the heart; righteous action is sincerity and correctness.”
Ibn Kathīr also notes that īmān includes belief in Allah, His angels, Books, Messengers, and the Last Day.
He frequently clarifies:
Every promised reward is tied to īmān + righteous actions, not one without the other.
4. Paradise described metaphorically
“…that for them are gardens beneath which rivers flow…”
Ibn Kathīr brings several points:
a. “Gardens” = many levels
The plural جَنَّات indicates:
- Numerous gardens
- Various degrees
- Multiple types of pleasure
b. “Rivers flow beneath them”
Ibn Kathīr explains that this means:
- Rivers flow under palaces, under trees, and where they desire
- Unlike worldly rivers, they do not erode, flood, or decay
He cites verses such as:
- “Its shade is permanent and its fruit is constant” (13:35)
- “In it are rivers of water, milk, wine, and honey” (47:15)
He quotes a narration from Qatādah:
The rivers of Paradise do not require channels; they flow wherever the people of Paradise wish.
5. “…Every time they are provided with fruit therein…”
Ibn Kathīr says this Ayah highlights:
- The joy of repeated provision
- The continuity of blessings
- The abundance of sustenance
He cites Ibn ʿAbbās, Mujāhid, and Al-Ḥasan, all saying the fruits of Paradise resemble the fruits of this world in appearance, but:
- Taste, smell, and quality are vastly superior
Ibn Kathīr comments:
Allah uses familiar names (grapes, pomegranates, figs) only to convey an idea; the reality is unimaginable.
6. “…they will say: ‘This is what we were provided before.’”
Ibn Kathīr explains the meaning using early reports:
a. Similar appearance, different taste
Ibn ʿAbbās:
What they mean is: “This looks like what we had before,”
but its taste is better and different.
Qatādah:
The people of Paradise are given fruits similar in color but renewed in flavor.
Mujāhid:
They see resemblance, not identity.
Ibn Kathīr concludes that the Qur’an emphasizes:
- Familiarity (so they recognize blessings),
- Eternal novelty (so the delight never ends).
7. “And they will be given it in likeness”
Ibn Kathīr says this confirms:
- Repeated provision of fruits
- Each serving similar in appearance
- Each serving different in taste
Al-Suddī says:
They will be brought fruit similar to what they received earlier in appearance,
but each time it is new, fresh, and superior.
8. “They will have purified spouses”
Ibn Kathīr lists meanings reported from the Salaf:
- Free of menstruation, childbirth, impurities
- Free of ill-temper, foul speech, or defects
- Perfect in beauty, character, and purity
He quotes Ibn ʿAbbās:
“Purified from filth and from all worldly imperfections.”
And a well-known hadith:
“The women of Paradise are pure and purified.”
9. “And they will abide therein forever.”
Ibn Kathīr calls this:
The greatest of all blessings — eternal permanence.
He cites many verses affirming:
- No death
- No removal
- No change
- No fear of loss
Examples:
- “They will never wish to leave it.” (18:108)
- “Its gift is uninterrupted.” (11:108)
Ibn Kathīr states:
If the people of Paradise were told that they would one day cease to exist, their joy would be destroyed.
Eternity is the perfection of reward.
Summary of Ibn Kathīr’s message for Ayah 25
The greatest blessing: eternal residence in Paradise.
Allah gives good news to the believers.
Paradise contains multiple gardens, each with rivers flowing beneath.
Fruits resemble those of this world in appearance, but are renewed in taste.
People of Paradise receive food repeatedly, each time tasting new delight.
They have purified spouses free of all imperfections.
About The Author
