وَجَعَلنا فيها جَنّاتٍ مِن نَخيلٍ وَأَعنابٍ وَفَجَّرنا فيها مِنَ العُيونِ

And We make in it orchards of date palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth in it.

EXEGESIS

Aʿnāb (vines) is the plural of ʿinab, which usually means grapes; here, it is translated as vines.

Nakhīl (dates) is the plural of nakhl, which is a name for the palm tree that produces dates.^{‎[1]Amthal, 14/176-177.}

Jannah is a garden that normally houses palm trees with vineyards that conceal its land.

ʿUyūn (springs) is the plural of ʿayn, which has several different meanings. Literally, it means the eye, and by extension it is used, among other things, for springs, since the water gushes out from underneath the land through a crack that splits open on the surface like the socket of an eye.^{‎[2]Mizan, 17/86.}

EXPOSITION

This verse draws attention to fruits, in contrast to the previous verse that mentioned grain. The reason for mentioning those two fruits in the plural may be due to the fact that more than ten types of varieties exist for these two fruits.

Moreover, these two valuable fruits can be eaten raw and can be preserved and dried so that they can be consumed and eaten throughout the year. In the previous verse, God mentioned reviving the dead land to life, which is usually associated with rainfall in other verses. However, in this verse, it has been associated with flowing springs, which produce flowing water required for these types of fruit trees.^{‎[3]Amthal, 14/176-177.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said: ‘If this water had not been in such abundance flowing through springs, valleys, and canals, it would have caused a great deal of inconvenience to man who needs it for drinking and for watering his quadrupeds and animals, and irrigating his agriculture, plants, and corn fields. At the same time, the beasts, birds, animals, fish, or other aquatic living creatures dwelling in water would suffer a great deal. It has other benefits which you are aware of and immense value and merits of which you are unaware. See then, besides the grand and valuable benefits underlying therein, to understand the whole animal and plant life of the entire earth’s surface subsistent on water; it is used in other beverages to soften them for a pleasant drink; it serves to clean the dirt from the body as well as clothing. Earth is moistened with it to make it fit for moulding utensils and other things. It is used in extinguishing the fire if it flares up to cause damage. Man gets refreshed after exhaustion and exertion [by it]. Similarly, there are other objectives served by water, and the great value thereof can be known only in time of need.’^{‎[4]Mufaḍḍal ibn ʿUmar, Tawḥīd Mufaḍḍal, (Najaf: Ḥaydariyyah Printing, 1955), p. 93.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Rāzī mentions that dates and grapes were specifically mentioned because their sweetness is the most delicious; in a way, these fruits were imported from distant lands. They are also mentioned because of their delicacy and uniqueness. The benefit of gushing springs are more significant because their water spreads to farther areas, unlike the non-gushing springs collected in wells which are limited to benefiting those close to them.^{‎[5]Razi, 26/67.}   

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. And I will deliver you from all your uncleanness. And I will summon the grain, make it abundant, and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.^{‎[6]Ezekiel 36:29-33.}

[1] Amthal, 14/176-177.
[2] Mizan, 17/86.
[3] Amthal, 14/176-177.
[4] Mufaḍḍal ibn ʿUmar, Tawḥīd Mufaḍḍal, (Najaf: Ḥaydariyyah Printing, 1955), p. 93.
[5] Razi, 26/67.
[6] Ezekiel 36:29-33.