Overview

(Verses 48 - 78)

The Four Gardens

For the first time in the Qur'an so far two gardens are mentioned, and there are probably more within the great garden of heaven. Their mention here, in particular, may be to stress their importance. In the next surah, The Inevitable Event, we learn that the dwellers of heaven form two large groups: the ones to the fore who will be brought nearest to God, and the people to the right. Each will experience great bliss. Here also we feel that these two gardens are designated for a group with a high position. It may be the group described in the next surah as being closest to God. We see another two gardens which are less refined than the first two and we feel that they belong to a group that comes next to the ones already mentioned. This group may be the people to the right. Whatever the case may be, let us look at this first grouping of two gardens, feeling their bliss. They are "With shading branches." (Verse 48) The Arabic word used for branches, afnan, conveys in particular newly springing branches that spread an air of freshness. These gardens have "a pair of flowing springs." (Verse 50) Thus, they are never short of water.
 
Moreover, they are "With every kind of fruit in pairs." (Verse 52) Their fruits are plentiful and varied. How will the dwellers of these gardens live? "They will recline on carpets lined with rich brocade." (Verse 54) Such is the lining of their couches: the top is left to our imagination. And then "the fruit of both these gardens will be within easy reach." (Verse 54) It is near and easy to reach.

This, however, does not complete the aspects of luxury that await these people. There is still more to consider: "In both [gardens] will be mates of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before." (Verse 56) Their modest gaze reflects their chastity. They do not look to anyone other than their spouses. Besides, they instil a sense of luxury and brightness, appearing "like rubies and corals." (Verse 58)

All this comes as the reward for a person who stands in this life in fear of his Lord's presence and worships Him as if he sees Him. He feels that God sees him and he works to attain the superior grade of excellence that the Prophet described as "to worship God as if you see Him. If you do not, then know that He sees you." As such they deserve more from the Lord of Grace for their excellence: "Shall the reward of good be anything but good?" (Verse 60)

In this presentation of these two lofty gardens and what they contain, every aspect of blessing and comfort is followed by the familiar comment: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 61)

The surah then describes what the other group, also with two gardens, will have: "Besides these two there are two other gardens." (Verse 62) The description shows them to be in some way less than the first two: "Both of the deepest green." (Verse 64) Their green colour is very dark, almost black. They have "two gushing springs." (Verse 66) Their water gushes forth, which is again different from, or less than, the flowing water of the springs in the first two gardens. Here we have "fruits, date palms and pomegranate trees, (Verse 68) while we had there "every kind of fruit in pairs." (Verse 52) Moreover, "there will be in [these gardens] all things most excellent and beautiful." (Verse 70) Further aspects are added in the next verse: "[They will have] dark-eyed and modest companions, sheltered in pavilions." (Verse 72) The pavilions, or decorated tents, add connotations of bedouin luxury, gratifying those used to desert life. The mates they have here are sheltered', while the ones in the other two gardens are 'of modest gaze'. However both groups of mates share in the same qualities of chastity and faithful devotion: "Neither man nor jinn will have touched them before." (Verse 74)

We see the dwellers of these two gardens enjoying their luxuries: "They will recline on green cushions and fine carpets." (Verse 76) The fine quality of the carpets in these gardens is given a special description in Arabic, ‘abqari, which is an adjective used of the (Abgar Valley; in olden times the Arabs believed this to be the dwelling place of the jinn. Hence they attributed every marvellous thing to this valley, describing it as ‘abqari, as the carpets are here described. When compared with what the first two gardens contain, these are clearly more modest. Yet the familiar comment is added after every aspect of blessing mentioned here: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 77)

The surah concludes with a final note of glorification of the Lord whose face, full of majesty, will remain after all creation has perished. This is the most apt conclusion to a surah that bears the name of the Lord of Grace: "Blessed is the name of your Lord, full of majesty, granting grace." (Verse 78)