Tafsir of Al-Furqan 25:74

Readings:

• Dhurriyyatinā (our offspring)
• Dhurriyyatunā (our offspring)
• Qurrata a‘yunin (coolness of eyes)
• Qurrātu a‘yunin (coolness of eyes)

Exegesis: They asked their Lord to grant them spouses and descendants who are workers for God, such that they are gladdened by their presence and their eyes are cooled by them.

Muhammad ibn Ka‘b said: "There is nothing more cooling to the eye of a believer than seeing his wife and children obedient to God."

Ibn ‘Abbās (may God be pleased with them both) said: "It refers to the child when he sees him writing jurisprudence (fiqh)."

It is also said: They asked that God join their spouses and descendants with them in Paradise so that their joy might be complete.

Regarding the word imāman (an Imam/leader):

• They intended "leaders" (a’immah), but sufficed with the singular because it denotes the genus and there is no ambiguity, like His saying: "Then He brings you out as a child" (Ghafir: 67).
• Or they meant: "Make each one of us an Imam."
• Or they intended the plural of āmm (one who leads), like ṣā’im (faster) and ṣiyām (those who fast).
• Or they meant: "Make us a single Imam," due to our unity and the agreement of our collective.

Some have said: The verse indicates that leadership in religion should be sought and desired. It is also said: These verses were revealed regarding the ten who were given glad tidings of Paradise.

Question: What is the nature of min (from) in His saying: min azwājinā (from our spouses)? Answer: It is possible that it is bayāniyyah (explicative). It is as if it were said: "Grant us a coolness of eyes," then the "coolness" was explained and interpreted by saying: "from our spouses and our descendants." Its meaning is that God makes them a coolness of eyes for them. This is like the saying: "I saw a lion in you," meaning: "You are a lion." Alternatively, it may be ibtidā’iyyah (originative), meaning: "Grant us from their side that which cools our eyes, through their obedience and righteousness."

Question: Why did He say qurrata a‘yunin (coolness of eyes) in the indefinite and plural form? Answer: As for the indefiniteness, it is because of the indefiniteness of qurrah (coolness); for there is no way to make a genitive construction indefinite except by making the muḍāf ilayh (the second term) indefinite. It is as if it were said: "Grant us from them joy and happiness." As for a‘yun (eyes) instead of ‘uyūn (the other plural form for eyes), it is because He intended the eyes of the pious (muttaqīn). These are few in comparison to the eyes of others. God Almighty said: "And few of My servants are grateful" (Saba’: 13). It is also permissible to say that the indefiniteness of a‘yun signifies that they are special eyes: the eyes of the pious.

"Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be met therein with greetings and peace. Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and the residence."