وَفُرُشٍ مَرفوعَةٍ

And noble spouses.

EXEGESIS

The root f-r-sh means to extend and spread out something on the ground. Furush is the plural of firāsh, meaning a bed or couch.^{‎[1]Tahqiq, under f-r-sh.} However, firāsh specifically means spouse (wife or husband) as well, perhaps because they share a bed together. This is the meaning used in the famous prophetic narration: ‘The child is for the husband (firāsh), and as for the adulterer, he shall be stoned.’^{‎[2]Raghib; Qamus, under f-r-sh.} Here, the latter meaning is more appropriate and likely, especially given the verses that follow. However, the first meaning is used in verse 55:54: [They will be] reclining on beds (furush) lined with green silk, and it is also preferred by the narrations (see Insights from Hadith). If we assume the first meaning here, then we would also have to assume an omitted part for the next verse in order to clarify its pronouns: and elevated couches; [and heavenly spouses whom] We have created with a special creation.

Marfūʿah means elevated and raised, whether physically or spiritually.^{‎[3]Raghib; Tahqiq, under r-f-ʿ.} In this verse, it means noble and exalted spouses in terms of traits, value, and position. It could also refer to being elevated and positioned upon the lofty couches of paradise.^{‎[4]Tabrisi.J, 4/234.} That would be reminiscent of the heavenly rooms and buildings that are built on top of one another: As for those who are wary of their Lord, for them there will be lofty abodes with [other] lofty abodes built above them (39:20), as interpreted by Hasan al-Baṣrī.^{‎[5]Tibyan, 9/496-497.} The first meaning is of course more relevant and compliant with this set of verses.

EXPOSITION

The people of the right hand will reside with spouses of noble characters and elevated stations. The word kawāʿib in 78:33 may also be equivalent to the nobility and elevation of the heavenly spouses, and not purely a matter of body figure. Despite their nobility and elevation, these spouses are humble and submissive. They are not snobbish against their mates, but are intimate friends with them (which complies with both meanings of atrāb discussed earlier).

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. The Prophet interpreted furushin marfūʿah to mean elevated heavenly chambers that are raised a distance of a hundred years above one another.^{‎[6]Tibyan, 6/157.}
2. In a long narration describing paradise, the Prophet told Imam Ali (a): ‘O Ali, those are chambers that God – mighty and majestic is He – has built for His friends with pearls, ruby, and emerald. Their ceilings are made of gold entwined with silver. There are a thousand golden gates to each chamber, each gate being guarded by an angel. There are elevated couches (furushin marfūʿah) therein, some placed on top of others, made of colourful fabrics of silk and sarsenet, filled with musk, camphor, and amber. These are the words of God, mighty and majestic is He: wa furushin marfūʿah.’^{‎[7]Kafi, 8/97.}

Note: See Exegesis for the two meanings of this verse.

[1] Tahqiq, under f-r-sh.
[2] Raghib; Qamus, under f-r-sh.
[3] Raghib; Tahqiq, under r-f-ʿ.
[4] Tabrisi.J, 4/234.
[5] Tibyan, 9/496-497.
[6] Tibyan, 6/157.
[7] Kafi, 8/97.