Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider): Verse 58
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا... (And those who believed and did righteous deeds...)
This verse establishes a clear contrast regarding the destination for the believers, just as the preceding verses established the fate for the disbelievers:
- Contrast with Punishment: It contrasts the believers' reward with the disbelievers' fate, where Allah said: {And indeed, Hell surrounds the disbelievers} (Al-'Ankabut: 54).
- This shows that the believers have Gardens (Jinan) in opposition to the Fire (Niran) awaiting the disbelievers.
- It mentions that in the believers' abode there are chambers (ghuraf) with rivers flowing beneath them, contrasting with the statement that the Fire is beneath the disbelievers.
- It states that this is the reward for their deeds: {Excellent is the reward of the workers} (N'am ajr al-'āmilīn), contrasting with the statement about the disbelievers' deeds: {Taste what you used to do} (Dhuqū mā kuntum ta'malūn) (Al-'Ankabut: 55).
Subtle Points (Lata'if) in the Two Verses (Reward vs. Punishment)
There are subtle differences between the description of the reward and the punishment:
- Regarding what is above them:
- In the description of punishment, Allah mentioned fire above them (a specific type of torment).
- Here (for the believers), nothing specific is mentioned as being above them, only the chambers (al-ghuraf) themselves.
- Reasoning: Both descriptions concern physical reward and punishment. The disbeliever is in the lowest level of Hell, so there are layers of Fire above him. The believer, however, is in the highest station (Illiyyin), so nothing is mentioned above them, indicating the loftiness of their rank and status.
- Regarding what is beneath them:
- In the description of punishment (for the disbelievers), the Fire is mentioned beneath their feet (min tahti arjulihim).
- Here (for the believers), water (al-mā’) is mentioned beneath their chambers.
- Reasoning: Fire only causes pain if it is directly beneath the feet or touching them. If the flame is angled away from the feet, or if it is beneath them in a depression (wahdah) without direct contact, it does not cause pain. However, water, if it is beneath the chamber in any orientation or distance, is always a source of pleasure and comfort. Thus, for the Fire, the proximity causing pain is specified ("beneath their feet"), while for the water, its mere presence beneath brings delight.
- Regarding the command/statement:
- For the disbelievers, Allah used the imperative form: {Taste} (Dhūqū), which conveys the immediate infliction of pain upon their hearts.
- For the believers, Allah used the statement: {Excellent is the reward of the workers} (N'am ajr al-'āmilīn), which conveys the joy to their hearts, not in the form of a command.
- Reasoning: The imperative form (like saying to a hired worker, "Take your wage") implies the termination of the relationship afterward. However, when Allah says, "Your full wage is with Me," or "Excellent is your reward," it implies that the reward remains with Him and continues. Allah did not say to the believers, "Take your wages, O workers."
- Addressing a potential question: If someone asks, "If 'Taste' implies termination, does the punishment of the disbeliever end?" The answer is no. When Allah says Dhūqū, it means He has given them their recompense, and the connection (in terms of immediate action) is severed, but the punishment remains eternally, neither decreasing nor increasing.
- For the believer, when Allah gives something, He does not stop there; rather, He increases the blessings daily. This is alluded to in: {For those who did good is the best [reward] and even more [Ziyādah]} (Yūnus: 26). That which reaches the disbeliever endures without increase, while that which reaches the believer increases continuously.
- As for eternity (Khulūd), although not explicitly mentioned for the disbeliever here, it is established through other textual proofs.
{الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ * وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَابَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ}
**(They are) those who were patient and upon their Lord rely. And how many a creature is there that does not carry its provision? Allah provides for it and for you, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.*
