Event: (39) A company of the first ones

We have previously mentioned what is in this, but here is a subtle point:

Allah Almighty said concerning the Foremost Ones (As-Sābiqūn):

{A company of the first ones} (Al-Wāqi‘ah: 13)

He mentioned this before mentioning the couches, the fruits, and the Houris.

However, concerning the Companions of the Right Hand (Ashāb al-Yamīn), He said:

{A company of the first ones}

After mentioning these bounties.

The subtle point is this: The Foremost Ones do not pay attention to the Houris, the food, the drink, or the general bounties of Paradise; rather, the bounties of Paradise are honored by their presence. The Companions of the Right Hand, however, do pay attention to these things, so their mention was presented to them first. It is as if Allah said to the people of Paradise: "These [Foremost Ones] are visiting you."

What completes this subtle point is that Allah only mentioned the company of the Foremost Ones first because they are close [to Him] in essence (ḥissīyan). Thus, He said:

{The foremost ones * In gardens [of bliss]} (Al-Wāqi‘ah: 11, 12)

Then He said: {A company...}. Then He mentioned the bounties because they are superior to worldly things, except for the love for those close to Allah (al-Mawaddah fī al-Qurbā), which is superior to everything.

This is alluded to by His saying:

{Say, "I ask of you no reward for this except affection for [my] relatives"} (Ash-Shūrā: 23) Meaning, affection for the believers.

And He promised the Messengers closeness (al-Zulfā) in His saying:

{And indeed, for him is closeness to Us and a good destination} (Ṣād: 25).

As for His saying: {In gardens of delight} (Al-Wāqi‘ah: 12), we have explained that this is to distinguish the close believers from the close angels. The angels are close in Paradise, and they are close in their stations to carry out the affairs that people and others require, by the power of Allah.

From this, it becomes clear that what is meant by the Companions of the Right Hand are the saved ones who committed sins and transgressed, and whom Allah forgave due to the smallest good deed—not those whose good deeds outweighed and were numerous. We will present the proof for this in His saying:

{So, peace to you from the Companions of the Right Hand} (Al-Wāqi‘ah: 91).

Then Allah Almighty said: