وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ 40
Translations
And a company of the later peoples.
Transliteration
Wa thulatun min al-akhireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to 'a multitude from the later generations' who will be among the companions of the right hand in Paradise. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this phrase indicates that believers from later generations until the Day of Judgment will also attain high stations in the Hereafter, not only the early believers. The ayah emphasizes that righteousness and faith are not limited to any particular era, and every generation has the opportunity to achieve closeness to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan chapter that describes the scenes of the Day of Judgment and the different categories of people in the Hereafter. The broader context (verses 39-56) categorizes believers into three groups based on their deeds: the foremost (al-sabiqun), the companions of the right hand (ashab al-yameen), and the companions of the left hand (ashab al-shimal). This ayah specifically addresses the companions of the right hand from later generations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of my ummah is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652). This hadith complements the ayah by acknowledging excellence in early generations while affirming that later generations also have pathways to righteousness and Paradise.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah offers hope to believers of all times that proximity to Allah and entry into Paradise are not exclusive to early generations, but are available to anyone who maintains faith and righteousness. It encourages Muslims to strive for spiritual excellence regardless of their era, knowing that sincerity and good deeds are what matter in the sight of Allah.