فَأَثَـٰبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 85
Translations
So Allāh rewarded them for what they said with gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of doers of good.
Transliteration
Fa-athābahumu -llāhu bimā qālū jannātun tajrī min taḥtihā -l-anhāru khālidīn fīhā wa-dhālik jazā'u -l-muḥsinīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the passage about the believers from the People of the Book (Christians) who listened to the Qur'an and were moved to tears and faith. Allah rewards them with Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall dwell forever—a reward befitting those who do good. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this reward is specifically for their righteous statement (their affirmation of truth) and their sincere belief, demonstrating that sincere faith combined with righteous deeds yields the highest reward.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah (Medinan), which addresses the People of the Book and clarifies Islamic teachings. The immediate context (5:82-85) discusses a group of Christian monks and scholars who recognized the truth of the Qur'an and wept upon hearing it, embodying humility and faith. This ayah rewards their sincere response to divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds shall enter Paradise' (Sahih Muslim), which aligns with the theme of reward for sincere faith and good actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere recognition of truth, coupled with emotional and spiritual response to divine guidance, is greatly valued by Allah. For modern believers, it emphasizes that authentic faith expressed through humble acknowledgment of truth and righteous conduct is the path to eternal reward, regardless of one's background or previous beliefs.