خالِدينَ فيها لا يَبغونَ عَنها حِوَلًا
To remain [forever] in them, from where they will not seek to shift.
EXEGESIS
Ḥiwal (shift) is another infinitive for taḥawwul or taḥwīl meaning change or to become separate from something. It means the dwellers of paradise do not ask for a change from it, as it is dearer to them than to ask for something else or yearn for something different.
EXPOSITION
This verse gives us in one short sentence a profound description of the beauty and desirability of paradise. It is so enjoyable and good that even though its inhabitants spend eternity there, they would never wish to leave it.
To remain [forever] in them: so that the previous usage of nuzul (a rest stop) should not arouse any confusion, this verse clarifies that the believers will remain forever in paradise. It is interesting to note that no such specification was provided after the description of the people of hell, perhaps an allusion to the fact that some may be released from there at a certain point.
From where they will not seek to shift: the people of heaven will not be driven out from there, and they would themselves never wish to leave it. This is because of how beautiful and enjoyable a place it is. We also understand from this that they will not get bored there, even in the eternity that they are there. This is because it has not only everything they need, but everything they could ever want or imagine, and they are ever growing and developing there, witnessing fresh manifestations of their Lord.
Thus, in this verse God reminds and reassures us that no one who goes to paradise would ever regret being there, or desire to return to the life of this world, or anything of that sort.
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
[1] Raghib, p. 266.
[2] Tabrisi, 6/769.
[3] Alusi, 8/371.
[4] Nemuneh, 12/563, 568.
[5] Matthew 25:46.