وَجَزاهُم بِما صَبَروا جَنَّةً وَحَريرًا
And He rewarded them for their patience with a garden and [garments of] silk.
EXPOSITION
Indeed, all the works of the abrār or those who attained salvation are captured with one action: the practice of patience and fortitude (ṣabr) (13:24, 23:111, 16:96, 25:75, 28:54). Fortitude to be steadfast in obedience to God, fortitude to turn away from sin, and fortitude during hardship and affliction are necessary and sufficient to pave the road to paradise.
By virtue of their steadfastness and fear of God’s wrath on that day, The great terror will not upset them (21:103) and paradise welcomes them (43:68). At that time, they are compensated for their endurance in times of affliction, their resolve to be dutiful, their self-restraint against sin, and their pursuit of their Lord’s countenance. They spent their lives putting God’s will before their own and so He replaced their weariness and burden with luxury and comfort.
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
The Bible has promised true life for those who are God-wary, who hold back from committing injustice towards others and are compassionate to the needy:
- But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
[1] Amthal, 19/264.
[2] Razi, 30/745-746.
[3] Mizan, 20/129.
[4] Ezekiel 18:5-9.