Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:71

{Some of them are allies of others} This is in contrast to what was said regarding the hypocrites: {Some of them are from others}.

{Allah will have mercy upon them} The sin (س) indicates the inevitable existence of mercy. It confirms the promise just as it confirms a threat in your saying: "I will surely take revenge on you one day," meaning you will not escape me, even if it is delayed. Similar to this are: {The Most Merciful will appoint for them affection} (Maryam: 96), {And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied} (Ad-Duha: 5), and {He will give them their rewards} (An-Nisa: 152).

{Exalted in Might} Prevailing over everything, capable of it; He is capable of both reward and punishment.

{All-Wise} Placing everything in its proper place according to what is deserved.

{And pleasant dwellings} Al-Hasan said: Palaces of pearl, red ruby, and chrysolite.

{‘Adn (Eden)} It is a proper noun, as evidenced by His saying: {Gardens of Eden which the Most Merciful has promised} (Maryam: 61). This is also supported by what Abu al-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): (‘Adn is the abode of Allah which no eye has seen and has not occurred to the heart of any human. None shall dwell in it except three: the Prophets, the Truthful, and the Martyrs. Allah the Exalted says: "Glad tidings to whoever enters you.") It is also said: It is a city in Paradise. Or: It is a river whose banks are the gardens.

{But approval from Allah is greater} Any portion of Allah’s approval is greater than all of that, because His pleasure is the cause of every success and happiness. Through His pleasure, they attain His glorification and honor, and honor is the greatest category of reward. When a servant knows his Master is pleased with him, it is greater in his soul than all the blessings beyond it; for blessings are only enjoyed through His pleasure. Just as if he knew of His wrath, it would spoil them for him, and he would find no pleasure in them, no matter how great they were.

I heard one of our sheikhs, a man of high ambition and noble soul, say: "My eye does not yearn, nor does my soul strive for anything of what Allah has promised in the Abode of Honor as it yearns and strives for His pleasure with me, and that I be gathered in the company of those who are guided and pleased with Him."

{That} This is a reference to what Allah has promised, or to the approval: meaning it is {the great attainment} alone, unlike what people consider to be an attainment.

It is narrated: (That Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, will say to the people of Paradise: "Are you satisfied?" They will say: "How could we not be satisfied when You have given us what You have not given to anyone of Your creation?" He will say: "Shall I give you something better than that?" They will say: "And what is better than that?" He will say: "I shall bestow My approval upon you, and I will never be angry with you ever again.")

{O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.}