Al-Qamar (54): Indeed, the righteous are in...

We have previously explained the meaning of al-muttaqīn (the righteous) and al-jannāt (gardens) in Surahs such as Al-Tur.

As for the river (nahr), there are recitations where the nūn (ن) and hā’ (ه) are pronounced with a fatḥa (vowel mark), like ḥajar (stone). In this case, it is a generic noun (ism jins) that stands in place of rivers (anhār). This is the most apparent and correct view. Regarding this, there are several issues:

Issue 1: The Meaning of Being "In" the River

It is undeniable that the perfection of pleasure in a garden is for a person to be within it. However, the pleasure derived from a river is not from being in the water itself, but from being near the river within Paradise. So, what is the meaning of the Almighty’s saying, {and a river}?

We have already addressed this in the exegesis of the verse {Indeed, the righteous will be in Gardens and Springs} (Adh-Dhariyat: 15) in Surah Adh-Dhariyat. We stated that the meaning is "amidst the springs" (fī khilāl al-’uyūn) and in the space between them. The same applies to the gardens (jannāt), as Paradise refers to the trees that screen the sun's rays. This is why the Almighty said, {in shades and springs} (Al-Mursalat: 41). If Paradise refers to the screening trees, a person is not in the trees but between or amidst them. Similarly, regarding the river.

We add another perspective here: the meaning is "in gardens and near a river" (fī jannāt wa ’inda nahr). This is because proximity justifies using a term that would be inappropriate without that proximity. This is similar to the saying:

Water is not "fed" (’alafthā), and a spear is not "girded" (taqalladat), but the association with hay and the sword makes the expression permissible. Likewise here, the preposition fī (in) is not repeated for the second term (the river) as it was for the first (the gardens).

Issue 2: The Singularity of the River vs. the Plurality of Gardens/Rivers

The river is mentioned in the singular ({and a river}), while the gardens are plural, and in many other places, rivers are mentioned in the plural, such as {rivers flow beneath it} (Al-Baqarah: 25). What is the wisdom behind this?

1. Based on the first answer (meaning "amidst"): If {in a river} means "amidst" (fī khilāl), then the listener does not need to hear "rivers" (plural) because they would know that a single river cannot have "amidst" spaces in the way springs do. However, in {rivers flow beneath it}, if rivers were not pluralized, it might be understood that every garden has only one river, similar to the world, where one long river might flow through many gardens.

2. Based on the second answer (meaning "near"): A person is "in gardens" (plural) because we explained that the pluralization of jannāt indicates their vastness, abundance of trees, and variety. Singularity is used when referring to the essence of Paradise, such as {The likeness of Paradise} (Muhammad: 15) or {Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth in exchange for Paradise} (At-Tawbah: 111), due to the interconnectedness of its trees and the absence of barren patches between them.

Consider the analogy in this world: If a person is in a house within a district, and that district is in a city, it is said he is in such-and-such a town. Regarding proximity, if a person is equally close to two rivers, it is said he is sitting near two rivers. If he moves closer to one, it is said he is near one of two rivers, not the other. In the world, a person cannot be simultaneously near three rivers such that the proximity is equal; one would necessarily be farther away.

Allah mentions the Hereafter as we understand it in this world. Thus, He said {and a river} (singular). Although the preposition fī suggests "in," this is due to proximity, as in "girded with a sword." As for {rivers flow beneath it}, its meaning is clear to us, as one Paradise may have many rivers—more than three or four.

Furthermore, the ending of the verses here favors the singular, while the ending of the verses there favors the plural.

It is also possible that the indefinite term {a river} (nahr) is for glorification (taʿẓīm). There is the River in Paradise, which is the greatest and most beautiful—perhaps the Kawthar or the Spring of Contentment (’Ayn al-Riḍwān). Being near it is an honor and bliss, and every believer will have a seat there. The other rivers flow throughout Paradise, and its inhabitants see them, but they are not seated beside them. Therefore, He said: {The righteous are in gardens and a river}, meaning that specific River where the seats of the believers are located.

In contrast, in {Indeed, Allah will test you with a river} (Al-Baqarah: 249), the river is indefinite because it was unknown to them. This interpretation is also sound, and in both cases, we do not need to assume that the singular nahr implies a plural meaning because it is a generic noun.

Issue 3: Difference between {in springs} and {and a river}

He mentioned {in} (fī) here, but in Adh-Dhariyat, {Gardens and Springs} (Adh-Dhariyat: 15). What is the difference?

If we maintain that {in a river} means "amidst" (fī khilāl), a person in this world could be amidst many springs surrounding him if he were on high ground from which springs burst forth and flowed, becoming rivers upon extension. However, a person cannot be amidst rivers; there can be at most two rivers surrounding him equally. The same applies if we interpret it as "near a river."

If we interpret it as: "The river is great, and seats are established near it," then that river is extensive and serves as the source for many dependent springs. Thus, the river is mentioned for honor/distinction (tashrīf), and the springs are for enjoyment and recreation (tafarruj wa tanazzuh). Moreover, a great river naturally encompasses many springs, so the singularity of the river stands in place of the plurality of the springs. Considering the endings of the verses here and there, mentioning the singular here and the plural there is appropriate.

Issue 4: Alternative Readings

It has been recited that {and a river} (wa nahr) is the plural of nahār (day), as there is no night there. In this case, the preposition fī is fully applicable: {in gardens} is a location adverbial, and {and a river} means "and in the day" (wa fī nahār), indicating a time adverbial.

It has also been recited as {wa nurr} (with a sukūn on the hā’ and fatḥa on the nūn), as the plural of nahr (river), similar to usud (lions) being the plural of asad (lion), as narrated by Al-Zamakhshari. It is also possible that it is wa nurr (with ḍamma on the hā’), pluralized like thamar (fruit) being the plural of thamar.

Then the Almighty said:

{In a seat of truth near a Sovereign, Competent [to do all things]} (55:55)