Tafsir of Maryam 19:62

"Ill speech" (laghw) refers to redundant talk that carries no benefit. Indeed, it follows the root meaning of lugha', which refers to the chirping of sparrows and similar birds. This statement is a metonymy indicating that no ill speech originates from the people of Paradise. Within this is a reminder that ill speech is something one should avoid in this worldly life as much as possible. According to Mujahid, laghw is interpreted as speech containing insults, meaning they will not insult one another. However, the general interpretation is more appropriate.

{Except "Peace"}

This is an isti’na' munqati’ (disjunctive exception). "Peace" (salam) is either in its well-known sense—meaning they hear the greeting of the angels upon them or the greeting of one another—or it means speech free from defects and deficiencies; that is, they hear speech free from any flaw or shortcoming.

It has been permitted that the exception be muttasil (connective), serving as an instance of emphasizing praise through what resembles blame, as in the poet’s saying: "They have no fault, save that their swords have notches from clashing with armies." This provides the strongest demonstrative proof for the negation of hearing ill speech. The connection, in this case, is based on supposition and estimation; without this, it would not achieve its intended beauty and hyperbole.

It is also said that the exception is connective based on the meaning of salam as a prayer for safety from calamities. Since the people of Paradise are beyond needing this—as there are no calamities therein—the greeting would be "ill speech" (laghw) in outward appearance (though not in reality), when considering its intended purpose, which is honoring and demonstrating mutual affection. For this reason, it is appropriate for the people of Paradise.

This is phrased according to the custom of those who live in luxury in this world. Ibn al-Mundhir recorded from Yahya ibn Kathir that he said: "The Arabs in their time had only one meal, so whoever obtained two meals, it was said that such-and-such is a person of luxury. So, Allah Almighty revealed this to encourage His servants toward what He possesses." A similar report is narrated from al-Hasan.

It is also said that what is intended is the permanence and continuous flow of their provision. Otherwise, there is neither morning nor evening in Paradise. However, it has been mentioned in some traditions that the people of Paradise will know the measure of the night by the lowering of curtains and the closing of doors, and they will know the measure of the day by the raising of curtains and the opening of doors.

Al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi recorded in Nawadir al-Usul, via Aban from al-Hasan and Abu Qilabah, that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and asked: "O Messenger of Allah, is there night in Paradise?" He replied, "What prompted you to ask this?" The man said, "I heard Allah Almighty mention in the Book, {And they will have their provision therein, morning and evening}, and I thought there was night between morning and evening." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "There is no night there. It is only light and illumination; the morning returns to the evening and the evening to the morning. Gifts come to them from Allah Almighty at the times of the prayers they used to perform in the world, and the angels (peace be upon them) greet them."