Surah Al-Kahf: (107 - 108) Indeed, those who believed...

Issues in the Verse:

After mentioning the severe warning (for the disbelievers), the Almighty followed it up with a promise (for the believers). Since He mentioned that Hell is the lodging for the disbelievers, He followed it by mentioning what encourages belief and righteous deeds. He said: {Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds - theirs will be the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging} (18:107).

The conjunction of "righteous deeds" (وعملوا الصالحات) with "belief" (آمنوا) indicates that righteous deeds are distinct from belief itself, as the conjoined element is different from the element it is conjoined to.

1. Qatadah said: Al-Firdaws is the middle and the best part of Paradise.
2. Ka'b said: There is no level in the Gardens higher than the Garden of Al-Firdaws. It is where those who enjoin good and forbid evil reside.
3. Mujahid said: Al-Firdaws is the Arabic word for a garden (in the Roman/Byzantine language).
4. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Paradise has one hundred degrees. The distance between every two degrees is the journey of a hundred years. Al-Firdaws is the highest degree. The four rivers spring forth from it, and Al-Firdaws is above them. When you ask Allah (for Paradise), ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it, the rivers of Paradise burst forth."

Some scholars said that since the Almighty made the entirety of Paradise a nuzul (lodging/reception gift) for the believers, when a noble host grants the initial lodging, it must be followed by a robe of honor (khil'ah). Nothing is greater than the entirety of Paradise except the Vision of Allah.

Objection: Did the Almighty not make the entirety of Hell a nuzul for the disbelievers in the previous verse, yet there is no punishment greater than Hell itself?

Answer: We say that for the disbeliever, after attaining Hell, there is a higher rank: being veiled from the sight of Allah, as stated: {Nay, indeed, from their Lord, that Day, they will be veiled. Then indeed, they will be burned in the Hellfire} (Al-Mutaffifin 83:15-16). Thus, burning in the fire is ranked lower than being veiled from Allah.

Regarding the phrase {لا يبغون عنها حولا} (They will not desire to leave it): Al-Hawl means turning or changing position. It is said: Hāla min makānihi hawlan, similar to ‘āda fī ḥubbihi ‘awdan (he returned to his love). This means there is no addition to the bliss and goodness of Paradise that would make them desire anything else. This description indicates the utmost perfection, because in this world, no matter what level of happiness a person reaches, their gaze still yearns for something higher.

{Say, "If the sea were ink with which to write the Words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it as a supplement."} (18:109)

{Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom it has been revealed that your God is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord."} (18:110)