جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمْ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ 23
Translations
Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying],
Transliteration
Jannātu 'Adnin yadkhulūnahā wa-man salaha min ābā'ihim wa-azwājihim wa-dhurriyyātihim wa-al-malā'ikatu yadkhulūna 'alayhim min kulli bāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the eternal gardens of Paradise (Jannāt 'Adn) that the righteous will enter, along with their righteous ancestors, spouses, and offspring. Ibn Kathir notes that this demonstrates the mercy of Allah in reuniting families in Paradise based on their faith and righteous deeds, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that only those who were righteous (salaha) from one's family will be admitted, establishing that entrance to Paradise depends on individual righteousness rather than mere family lineage. The angels' greeting at every gate symbolizes honor, welcome, and the joy that awaits the inhabitants of Paradise.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Ra'd is a Medinan surah that addresses the believers during a period of testing and persecution. This ayah falls within a passage encouraging the righteous with descriptions of Paradise, serving to motivate steadfastness in faith and good deeds despite worldly trials. The ayah responds to human longing for reunion with loved ones and provides comfort that believers need not fear separation from family in the afterlife if all remain steadfast.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'A person will follow the religion of his father and mother; if they make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian, let him be so' (Sahih Bukhari 1319) - highlighting the importance of family influence in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while we cherish our earthly family bonds, our primary focus must be on cultivating righteousness in ourselves and our families, as only righteous deeds ensure eternal reunion in Paradise. It reminds us that inheritance of faith is not automatic through bloodline alone—each person's relationship with Allah and their moral conduct determines their eternal destiny.