| Q: (35) They will have whatever they desire...

There is an exquisite order in this verse.

Allah, the Exalted, began by stating their honor: {And Paradise will be brought near to the God-fearing} (Ash-Shu'ara: 90). He did not say, "The God-fearing drew near to Paradise," to emphasize the honor, making them recipients to whom Paradise and its beauties are brought.

Then He said to them, "This is for you," with His statement: {This is what you were promised} (Q: 32).

Next, He clarified that it is the reward for their righteous deeds: {For every returning, ever-watchful} (Q: 33), {Who feared the Most Merciful in the unseen} (Q: 33). This is because the disposition of an owner who grants something in exchange for compensation is more complete than the disposition of one who grants without compensation, as a gift without compensation can be revoked.

Then, He increased the honor by saying: {Enter it} (Q: 34). As we explained, this is an honor because one who opens his door to people but does not stand at the door to welcome those entering has not achieved complete hospitality.

Then He said: {This is the Day of Eternity} (Q: 34), meaning: Do not fear what afflicted you before, such as your parents being expelled from it; this entry is without subsequent exit.

After establishing that they will remain therein eternally, He said: Do not fear the cessation of your provisions or remaining in need, as you were in the world where whoever built would eventually decay and require sustenance. Rather, you have eternity, and what you enjoy will not be depleted. {They will have whatever they desire} at any time they wish.

To Allah is the ultimate end, and upon reaching Him and standing before Him, what is with Him cannot be described, nor can anyone fully comprehend it. The greatness of the One who possesses it indicates the virtue of what He possesses. This is the order.

As for the exegesis, there are two issues:

Issue One:

Allah, the Exalted, said: {Enter it in peace} (Q: 34) as direct address, then He said: {For them} (Q: 35), and did not say "For you." What is the wisdom behind this?

The answer involves several points:

1. First: The statement {Enter it} implies that it is said to them, meaning, "It will be said to them: {Enter it}." Thus, there is no shift in address (Iftitāt).
2. Second: It is a form of shift in address (Iftitāt) intended to combine both aspects. It is as if Allah is saying: Honor them in their presence, so in their presence is joy, and in their absence are the Houris and palaces.
3. Third: The statement {For them} could be speech directed to the angels, commanding them: "Be in charge of serving them, and know that they will have whatever they desire therein. So bring forth before them whatever they desire. As for Me, I possess what does not cross their minds and what you (angels) cannot attain."

Issue Two:

We have mentioned that the word {increase} (Mazīd) (Q: 30) can imply addition, similar to His statement: {For those who do good is the best [reward] and even more} (Yunus: 26). Or, it can mean the object itself, meaning: We have what We add to what they hope for and what they desire.

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