وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ 8
Translations
[Other] faces, that Day, will show pleasure.
Transliteration
Wujuhun yawma'idhin na'imah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the faces of the inhabitants of Paradise on the Day of Judgment, characterized by radiance, beauty, and contentment (na'imah). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, 'na'imah' (soft, delicate, radiant) signifies not merely physical beauty but the reflection of eternal bliss, divine favor, and the absence of all hardship that will be manifest upon their countenances. This stands in contrast to the preceding ayah (88:2-7) which describes the grim faces of the people of Hell, establishing a profound dichotomy between the blessed and the damned.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ghashiyah was revealed in Mecca during the early period of the Qur'anic revelation and focuses on the inevitability of the Day of Judgment and its stark realities. This ayah appears within a passage (88:8-16) depicting the condition and blessings of the inhabitants of Paradise, emphasizing the certainty of divine reward for the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The inhabitants of Paradise will see each other as you see the stars in the sky' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'The faces of the people of Paradise will shine like the sun and the moon' (Tirmidhi), which relates to the radiance (na'imah) described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true beauty and contentment are not found in worldly possessions but in obedience to Allah and the eternal joy awaiting the righteous in Paradise. It encourages reflection on our actions today and their ultimate consequences, motivating us to seek a life of piety and righteousness.