ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ

9:72; 13:24; 19:62; 20:77; 35:34; 38:51; 61:13; 98:9.

15:48; 36:57; 83:24.

Important Words:

اساور (bracelets) is the plural of سوار which is derived from سار. They say سار او تسور الحائط i.e. he climbed or scaled the wall. تسورalso means, he put on or decked himself with bracelets. سوار means, a man’s or woman’s bracelet of silver or of gold (Lane & Aqrab).

سندس (fine silk) means, thin or fine دیباج (silk brocade) or thin or fine حریر (silk). It is opposed to استبرق (Lane).

استبرق (heavy brocade) is derived from برق which means, it shone, gleamed or glistened. استبرق means, thick دیباج (silk brocade) or دیباج interwoven with gold; thick silk (Lane & Aqrab).

ارائک (raised couches) is the plural of اریکة which is derived from ارک which means, he persisted or persevered. They say ارک بالمکان i.e. he remained in the house, not quitting it. The Arabs say ارک الامر فی عنقه i.e. he compelled him to do the thing; he made him cleave to it. اریکة means, a raised couch in a tent or chamber decorated and adorned with cloth and curtains for a bride; a bed spread upon the ground to sit upon; anything upon which one reclines; a raised couch (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

The wearing of bracelets of gold may refer either to this life or the next. In the former case, the words, They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, mean that gold bracelets being symbols of royalty, Muslims will become rulers of vast and mighty empires. But taken as referring to the next life they connote a spiritual sense, meaning that good works of Muslims in this life would assume an embodied form in the next. Or "bracelets of gold" may signify special marks of honour, i.e. the Faithful will enjoy great power, honour and dignity and their womenfolk will wear garments of fine silk and heavy brocade interwoven with gold. This prophecy was fulfilled when the treasures of Persia and Rome were laid at the feet of so-called illiterate and half-civilized Arabs who wore clothes made of coarse skins and the hair of animals.

The words, how good the reward, imply that these things will not make Muslims lovers of ease and luxury and will not lead to their moral or spiritual death. On the contrary they will prove "a good reward" for them, that is, these things will give them peace and contentment of mind.

The words, and how excellent the place of rest, signify that contacts and friendships formed in accordance with Quranic teaching, being based on sincere and honest motives, will not lead to war and mutual hatred but will bring about real peace and concord in the world.

15:48; 18:32; 83:24.

Commentary:

All joy and happiness increases manifold if one shares it with another whom he loves.

18:32; 36:57; 83:24.

20:120.

Important Words:

زمھریرا (excessive cold) is derived from زمھر. They say زمھرت العین او ازمھرت i.e. the eye became red on account of anger. ازمھر الیومmeans, the day became intensely cold. ازمھر وجھه means, his face became contracted with a stern or morose look. زمھریرmeans, cold or intense cold (Lane & Aqrab).

15:48; 18:32; 36:57; 76:14.

Commentary:

Sinners will not be able to see the face of God, but the righteous believers will be granted the favour of having a view of the Divine Being.

Important Words:

ینظرون (viewing) نظر means, he looked. Contemplated, judged, decided; he paid regard to; he supervised or had superintendence over. نظر بینھم means, he judged between them, نظر فی احوال الیتامی means, he examined the property of the orphans to manage it (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

Seated on the thrones of dignity the believers will witness the sad fate of arrogant disbelievers. Or, the meaning may be: seated on the thrones of authority they will administer justice to men, or will pay due regard to the needs of others.