ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ 39
Translations
A company of the former peoples
Transliteration
Thullatun min al-awwalin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to 'a multitude from the former peoples' who will be among the inhabitants of Paradise. According to classical tafsir scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to the righteous believers from previous nations and generations who will enter Jannah. The term 'thullatun' (a large group or multitude) emphasizes that a significant number of the pious predecessors will be rewarded with Paradise, highlighting Allah's mercy across all generations of believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan chapter that describes the Day of Judgment and the differentiation between the people of Paradise and Hell. The passage (56:39-56) discusses the three categories of people on the Day of Resurrection, with this particular ayah describing one group blessed with Paradise, providing comfort to believers about the promise of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of generations is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652). This hadith relates thematically to the recognition and honor given to the righteous from former peoples mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that righteousness and faith are timeless values recognized and rewarded by Allah across all generations and nations. It offers assurance that living a pious life according to one's faith will result in divine reward, regardless of when or where one lives.
Related Ayahs
أَحْيَآءً وَأَمْوَٰتًا
Of the living and the dead?
يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ
He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. And thus will you be brought out.
۞ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ قَادِرٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَهُمْ أَجَلًا لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَأَبَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِلَّا كُفُورًا
Do they not see that Allāh, who created the heavens and earth, is [the one] Able to create the likes of them? And He has appointed for them a term, about which there is no doubt. But the wrongdoers refuse except disbelief.
فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْمَشَـٰرِقِ وَٱلْمَغَـٰرِبِ إِنَّا لَقَـٰدِرُونَ
So I swear by the Lord of [all] risings and settings that indeed We are able