Surah Muhammad Notes (15-19)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Description of Paradise and Its Rivers

(15) The description of Paradise which the Muttaqun have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels?

Allah then says:

(The description of Paradise which is promised for those who have Taqwa...) `Ikrimah said,

(The description of Paradise) "This means its description.''

(In it are rivers of water that are not Asin,) Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah all said, "It does not change.'' Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, and `Ata' Al-Khurasani all said, "It is not foul-smelling.'' The Arabs say, Asin, if its (water) scent changes.

(rivers of milk, the taste of which never changes,) which means that the milk is of utmost whiteness, sweetness, and richness. It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet "Their milk did not come out of the udders of cattle.''

(rivers of wine delightful to those who drink it, ) which means that the wine does not have a bad taste or foul smell like that of the worldly life. Rather, it is good in its appearance, taste, smell, and effect, as Allah says,

(it (the wine) has no bad effects, nor does it cause intoxication.) (37:47) and,

(From which (the wine) they will have no headache, nor will they be intoxicated.) (56:19)

(white, delicious to the drinkers.)(37:46) 

It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet, "Their wine was not pressed under men's feet.''

(and rivers of refined honey;) which means that the honey is of utmost purity and pleasant color, taste, and smell. 

It has been mentioned in a Hadith attributed to the Prophet, "Their honey did not come out of the bellies of bees.'' 

Imam Ahmad recorded from Hakim bin Mu`awiyah who narrated from his father that Allah's Messenger said, (Verily, there is in Paradise a lake of milk, a lake of water, a lake of honey, and a lake of wine. The rivers then gush out of them. At-Tirmidhi reported this narration in his section of the Description of Paradise, and he said, "Hasan Sahih. 

In the Sahih, it is recorded that Allah's Messenger said, (When you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, because it is the central and highest part of the Paradise, and from it gush the rivers of the Paradise and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.)

Allah says,

(...and therein for them are all kinds of fruits, ...) This similar to His saying,

(They will call in it for every kind of fruit in peace and security.) (44:55) And His saying,

(In them will be every kind of fruits in pairs.) (55:52) Allah says

(. ..and forgiveness from their Lord.) meaning, in addition to all of the above. 

Allah says,

(Can this be likened to those who abide eternally in the Fire) meaning, `can those that We have described their position in the Paradise be like those who will abide eternally in the Fire' They are not equal, and nor are those who will be in the high ranks (in the Paradise) and those who will be in the lowest depths (Hell).

(and are given to drink boiling water) meaning, extremely hot; so hot that it is unbearable.

(that severs their intestines) meaning, that will cut their insides -- both bowels and intestines. We seek refuge with Allah from that.

The Description of the Situation of the Hypocrites and the Command to maintain Tawhid and seek Forgiveness

(16) And among them are some who listen to you (O Muhammad SAW) till, when they go out from you, they say to those who have received knowledge: "What has he said just now? Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and they follow their lusts (evil desires).

Allah describes the hypocrites' stupidity and limited understanding. They used to sit before Allah's Messenger and listen to his words without understanding anything. Then when they left from his presence,

(they say to those who have received knowledge) from the Companions

("What is it that he has said just now'') meaning, at this moment. They did not understand what he said, nor did they care about it. Allah says,

(Such are the men whose hearts Allah has sealed because they followed their lusts.) which means that they had neither sound understanding nor correct intentions.

(17) While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance and bestows on them their piety.

(And as for those who accept guidance, He increases them in guidance) which means that those who seek guidance, Allah facilitates it for them; He guides them to it, makes them firm on it, and gives them more of it.

(and bestows on them their Taqwa.) meaning, He inspires them to their righteous guidance. 

Allah then says,

(18) Do they then await (anything) other than the Hour, that it should come upon them suddenly? But some of its portents (indications and signs) have already come, and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their reminder?

(Do they then await except that the Hour should come upon them suddenly) meaning, while they are unaware of it.

(But already there have come (some of) its portents;) meaning, the signs of its approach. This is similar to Allah's saying,

(This is a warner of the warners of old. The approaching Day has drawn near.) (53:56-57) And His saying,

(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split.) (54:1) And His saying,

(The command of Allah is coming, so do not be impatient for it.) (16:1) And His saying,

(The People's Day of Reckoning has approached while they turn away in heedlessness.) (21:1) 

Thus, the Messenger's advent is one of the signs of the Hour, because he is the Finality of the Messengers. With him, Allah has completed the religion and established the evidence against all people in a way that was never done by a previous Prophet. Allah's Messenger has most clearly informed about the signs and indications of the Hour, as we have discussed elsewhere. 

Al-Bukhari recorded from Sahl bin Sa`d, may Allah be pleased with him, that he saw Allah's Messenger bring his index and middle fingers together while he said, (I have been sent before the Hour as these two (fingers).) 

Allah continues,

(and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their reminder) meaning, how would remembering benefit the disbelievers when the Hour comes upon them 

(19) So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes).

(So know that La ilaha illallah) This is a declaration that there is no true God except Allah. It is not something that is easy for him to command the people to have knowledge of. 

That is why Allah connected it with,

(and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and women.) 

In the Sahih, it is recorded that Allah's Messenger used to say, (O Allah, forgive my sin, my ignorance, my immoderation in my affairs, and all that You know better about my (faults) than myself. O Allah, forgive me my joking, my seriousness, my unintended error, and my deliberate (mistakes) -- and I have done of all that.) 

It is also reported in the Sahih that he used to say at the end of the prayer, (O Allah, forgive me what I have previously done, what I may commit in future, what I have committed secretly, what I have committed openly, what I have done excessively, and all sins that You know better than me. You are my God. There is no (true) God except You.) 

It is also recorded in the Sahih that he used to say, (O people! Repent to your Lord! Verily, I ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times every day.) Allah then says,

(And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest.) means, He knows how you behave during the day, and where you settle at night. 

This is similar to His saying,

(It is He Who takes your souls by night and knows all that you do by day.)(6:60) And He says,

(And there is no moving creature on earth but its provision is up to Allah, and He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (before birth and after death) -- all is in a clear register.) (11:6)