هٰذا ذِكرٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ لِلمُتَّقينَ لَحُسنَ مَآبٍ

This is a reminder, and indeed the God-wary have a good destination.

EXEGESIS

Maʾāb (destination) was discussed in the commentary on verse 25.

EXPOSITION

This is a reminder is reference to the nine prophets mentioned. It is a great honour for those men to be mentioned with praise in the Quran and to be remembered therein.^{‎[1]Tibyan, 8/572; Nemuneh, 19/314.} In this way, dhikr could also be translated as remembrance.

The stories of these prophets began with a reminder to Prophet Muhammad (s) to look to their examples and how they too had to suffer because of the ignorance of their people and be patient. As the attention in this verse turns towards the God-wary, it is making it clear to them that it is not only Prophet Muhammad (s) who should be patient, but anyone who wishes to enter paradise should exhibit this patience.^{‎[2]Razi, 26/401.} Do you suppose that you would enter paradise, while Allah has not yet ascertained those of you who have waged jihad and not ascertained the steadfast? (3:142).

We may also note that in the description of Prophet David (a) and Prophet Solomon (a) God said that they had nearness (zulfā) with Us and a good destination (ḥūsna maʾāb) (verses 25 and 40), but when describing the God-wary here they are simply said to have a good destination. As mentioned in the commentary on those earlier verses, a good destination should be referring to paradise, whereas a nearness is an additional boon given to the very highest levels of the God-wary.

Finally, we should observe that this is the third time in the surah that God mentions good destination. This theme of threes can be marked throughout this surah. The stories of the prophets are mentioned in sets of three. First Prophet David (a), Prophet Solomon (a), and Prophet Job (a) are mentioned in more detail, then Prophet Abraham (a), Prophet Isaac (a), and Prophet Jacob (a), then Prophet Ishmael (a), al-Yasaʿ (a), and Dhū al-Kifl (a). This couples nicely with the triple mention of good destination.

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Some have said that This is a reference to a portion of the surah, as in ‘this was a portion of this chapter’, since what was mentioned previously was a reminder to Prophet Muhammad (s) and the believers to be patient by giving an example of previous prophets. This reminder about the prophets is then followed by another that talks about paradise. Later, God says, This, and as for the rebellious there will surely be a bad destination, which signifies another portion, detailing the punishment of the evildoers.^{‎[3]Zamakhshari, 4/100; Razi, 26/401.}

Ālūsī says God-wary is referring to the same prophets that were mentioned, and the descriptions that were given of them is an honour for them in this world and that these God-wary prophets will also have a good destination in the hereafter.^{‎[4]Alusi, 12/203.} Tabatabai accepts that this might be so, but what is more probable is that This refers to the Quran, as in the first verse of the surah, By the Quran bearing the reminder.^{‎[5]Mizan, 17/217.}

[1] Tibyan, 8/572; Nemuneh, 19/314.
[2] Razi, 26/401.
[3] Zamakhshari, 4/100; Razi, 26/401.
[4] Alusi, 12/203.
[5] Mizan, 17/217.