Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:72

"And that is the Paradise which..."

"And that Paradise" is a subject and predicate. His saying—Exalted is He—"which you have been made to inherit" is an adjective for Paradise. His saying—Glorified is He—"for what you used to do" relates to "you have been made to inherit."

It is also said: "That" is the subject and "Paradise" is its adjective, and "which you have been made to inherit" is the predicate, while the prepositional phrase following it relates to the predicate.

It is also said: "That" is the subject, "Paradise" is its adjective, and "which you have been made to inherit" is a second adjective for Paradise, while "for what you used to do" relates to an omitted predicate.

According to the first view, the indication is to the Paradise mentioned in His saying—Exalted is He—"Enter Paradise." According to the latter two views, it refers to the Paradise appearing as an adjective.

The ba (in bima) is for compensation (muqabala). That which they deserved through their good deeds—of Paradise and its everlasting bliss—is likened to that which a person leaves behind for his heir in terms of possessions and provisions. This necessitates the likening of the deed itself to the testator (muwarrith). Thus, inheritance is borrowed (isti'arah) for what they deserved, and then "you have been made to inherit" is derived. Consequently, there is a dependent metaphor (isti'arah tab'iyyah). Some have said the metaphor is a representation (tamthiliyyah), and it is also permissible to consider it an implied metaphor (makniyyah). It is also said that inheritance is a figurative expression (majaz mursal) for attainment and acquisition.

Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Marduwayh recorded from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "There is no one who does not have a dwelling in Paradise and a dwelling in Hell. The disbeliever inherits the believer's dwelling in Hell, and the believer inherits the disbeliever's dwelling in Paradise." And that is the meaning of His saying—Exalted is He—"And that is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do." This statement is not devoid of figurative meaning either.

Regardless, the causality of deeds for inheriting Paradise and attaining it is solely through the grace of Allah—Exalted is He—and His mercy—Mighty and Majestic is He. What is intended by his saying—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—"None of you will enter Paradise by his deed" refers to the entry into Paradise by the deed acting independently and as a total cause, so there is no contradiction.

Hannad and 'Abd ibn Humayd recorded in Al-Zuhd from Ibn Mas'ud that he said: "You will cross the Sirat by the pardon of Allah—Exalted is He—you will enter Paradise by the mercy of Allah—Exalted is He—and you will divide the dwellings by your deeds." So reflect upon this.

It has been recited as (warithtumūhā - you have inherited it).