Tafsir of Al-Mutaffifeen 83:23

Surah Al-Mutaffifeen 83:23

ﲨ ﲩ ﲪ

On adorned couches, observing.

Tafsir

Ruh al-Ma'ani

Verse range: 83:23

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(23) On adorned couches, they gaze.

(On adorned couches), meaning upon beds within canopies, and the complete discussion regarding them has already preceded.

(They gaze), meaning at whatever they wish of the desirable sights of Paradise, and the canopies do not veil their vision. Ibn Abbas, Ikrimah, and Mujahid said: "At what Allah the Exalted has prepared for them of honor." Muqatil said: "At the people of the Fire, their enemies," though some have not favored this interpretation so that the verses at the end of the Surah may be established as a foundation. It is said that they gaze at one another, such that no beloved is veiled from their beloved. It is also said that 'gazing' is a metonymy for the absence of sleep; it is as if it were said, "They do not sleep." This is to dispel the illusion of sleep arising from the mention of couches, which are generally prepared for sleeping. In this is an indication that there is no sleep in Paradise, as has been reported in the traditions, because sleep involves a loss of consciousness and the heedlessness of the senses, among other things that do not befit that station. According to this, His—may He be glorified—saying...