عَلَى الأَرائِكِ يَنظُرونَ

Observing, [as they recline] on couches.

EXEGESIS

Arāʾik is the plural of arīkah, which comes from the root word araka that means to remain, stay, persist, or abide in a place.^{‎[1]Raghib, p. 73; Tahqiq, 1/70.} It also means raised couches, ornamented and decorated with cloths and curtains and beautified for a bride.^{‎[2]Mizan, 20/238.} Hence, arāʾik signifies high status and at the same time comfort and luxury in which one abides.

EXPOSITION

This verse depicts a picture that indicates the high status of the pious by stating that they will be sitting on raised couches that are ornamented (arāʾik), observing from their high status. The verse does not restrict or specify the subject of observation. This may indicate that they will observe the joyful scenes of paradise^{‎[3]Mizan, 20/238; Alusi, 15/282.} or the manifestation of divine beauty.^{‎[4]Amthal, 20/35.} The explicit mentioning of observation as a reward could be due to the fact that human beings by their nature enjoy viewing and observing beauty as it brings happiness and joy to them.^{‎[5]Amthal, 20/35.}

[1] Raghib, p. 73; Tahqiq, 1/70.
[2] Mizan, 20/238.
[3] Mizan, 20/238; Alusi, 15/282.
[4] Amthal, 20/35.
[5] Amthal, 20/35.