Al-Insan (76): 22 - Indeed, this was for you...

Interpretation of the Verse

Know that there are two perspectives on this verse:

The First View: It is said to the people of Paradise after they enter it and witness its delights: "Indeed, this [reward] was for you a recompense prepared by Allah Almighty for you until this time." It is all yours because of your deeds, despite the smallness of those deeds. This is similar to what the angels say to the people of Paradise, as narrated by Allah:

{Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. Excellent is the final abode.} (Ar-Ra'd: 24) And: {Eat and drink with pleasure for what you put forth in the days gone by.} (Al-Haqqah: 24)

The purpose of mentioning this statement is to increase their joy. Just as one who is punished is told, "This is because of your bad deeds," which increases his grief and heartache, the rewarded one is told, "This is because of your obedience," which serves as congratulations and an increase in his delight. Those who hold this interpretation assume the speaker is implied (i.e., it is said to them).

The Second View: This is a declaration from Allah Almighty to His servants in this world. It is as if Allah is explaining the response of the people of Paradise: "This [reward] was in My knowledge and My decree a recompense for you, O My servants. For you I created it, and for your sake I prepared it."

Within this verse, two questions remain:

Question 1: If the action of the servant is a consequence of Allah's decree (as implied by the second view), how can it be understood that Allah's action (the reward) is a recompense for Allah's action (the decree)?

Answer: The recompense (the reward) is sufficient in itself, and this does not negate that it is an action originating from Allah Almighty.

Question 2: The acknowledgment that the striving of the servant is Mashkūr (thanked/rewarded) by Allah implies that Allah is Shākir (Thanking/Grateful) to the servant.

Answer: Allah being Shākir to the servant is impossible in a literal sense, except metaphorically, which occurs in three ways:

1. The view of Al-Qadi (the Judge): The reward is commensurate with their knowledge (of Allah), just as gratitude (shukr) is commensurate with blessings (ni'am).
2. The view of Al-Qaffal: It is common in people's speech to call someone who is pleased with little and praises it Shakūr (very thankful). Thus, Allah's Shukr to His servants might be His pleasure with a small amount of their obedience and His giving them a great reward for it.
3. The ultimate station: The highest degree a servant can reach is to be Rāḍiyan (pleased) with their Lord and Marḍiyyan (pleasing) to their Lord, as stated:

   {O tranquil soul, Return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing [to Him].} (Al-Fajr: 27-28) Being Rāḍiyan (pleased with the Lord) is a lesser degree than being Marḍiyyan (pleasing to the Lord). Therefore, the statement {Indeed, this was for you a recompense} refers to the state that makes the soul Rāḍiyan with its Lord, and {And your striving was ever appreciated} refers to the state of being Marḍiyyan to its Lord. Since this status is the highest station and the ultimate degree, it is fitting that the verse concludes by mentioning the ranks of the righteous and the truthful.

! 7 < { Indeed, We have sent down the Qur'an to you in stages. } > 7 !

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