Tafsir of Al-Ghashiyah 88:11

Al-Ghashiyah (88): (11) They will not hear therein any idle talk.

Issue 1: Regarding the reading of لا تسمع (You will not hear/She will not hear).

There are three readings for this phrase:

1. 'Asim, Hamzah, and Al-Kisā'ī read it with a Tā' (ت) at the beginning, in the second-person singular masculine form (تسمع - tasma'u), with لاغية in the accusative case (لاغيةً - lāghiyatan).
   • The addressee of this command could be the Prophet (PBUH), or it could be a general address: "O addressee, you will not hear therein any idle talk." This structure implies hearing in the context of address, similar to His saying: {And when you look, you will see} (Al-Insan: 20) and {When you look at them, you think them} (Al-Insan: 19).
   • Alternatively, the Tā' might refer back to the faces (وجوه), meaning: "The faces will not hear therein any idle talk."

2. Nāfi' reads it with a Tā' (ت), raised (nominative) (تسمعُ - tasma'u), with لاغية in the nominative case (لاغيةٌ - lāghiyatun), indicating the feminine third person (referring to the idle talk itself).

3. Ibn Kathir and Abū 'Amr read it with a Yā' (ي) at the beginning, prefixed with a ḍammah (يسمعُ - yasma'u), in the masculine third person, with لاغية in the nominative case (لاغيةٌ - lāghiyatun).

This third reading (masculine third person) is permissible for two reasons:

• First: When this type of feminine noun precedes its verb, and there is an intervening element that allows for masculine treatment, it is permissible. The poet said:

  Indeed, a man deceived by one of you after me and after you, in this world, is deluded. (Note: The structure implies a masculine treatment despite the feminine subject being implied or distant).

• Second: If the intended meaning of لاغية (idle talk) is the abstract concept of Lughw (nonsense/futility), the feminine form (لاغية) is used based on the word form, while the masculine verb (يسمع) is used based on the underlying meaning.

Issue 2: The meaning of لاغية (idle talk).

Linguists offer three interpretations for لاغية:

1. It is derived from the verb لغا يلغو لغوا (laghā yalghū lughwan). Thus, لاغية and لغو mean the same thing. This interpretation is supported by the verse: {They will not hear therein any vain talk} (لغوا) (Maryam: 62).
2. It is an adjective, meaning: "They will not hear a single idle word" (كلمة لاغية).
3. Al-Akhfash said: لاغية means "a word possessing lughw," similar to saying Fāris (rider) for one who possesses a horse, or Dāris (armored) for one who possesses armor.

Exegetes offer several interpretations:

1. Al-Qaffāl: Paradise is purified from idle talk because it is the dwelling place of God's neighbors, attained only through seriousness and truth, not through falsehood or vanity. Similarly, any noble and honored gathering in this world is free from idle talk; the more eloquent the description, the greater its majesty.
2. Al-Zajjāj: The inhabitants of Paradise will only speak words of wisdom and praise to God for the eternal blessings He has bestowed upon them.
3. Ibn 'Abbās: It means they will not hear lies, slander, disbelief in God, or cursing.
4. Muqātil: They will not hear each other swearing oaths while drinking, as people in this world do when they drink wine. (The first interpretation by Al-Qaffāl is considered the best).
5. Al-Qāḍī: Lughw refers to that which has no benefit. God negated this from them, and this negation inherently includes anything that might harm the listener, by way of awlā (a stronger implication).