كَأَنَّهُنَّ ٱلْيَاقُوتُ وَٱلْمَرْجَانُ 58
Translations
As if they were rubies and coral.
Transliteration
Ka-annahunna al-yaqūtu wa-al-marjān
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the wives of the people of Paradise, comparing their radiance and beauty to rubies (yaqūt) and pearls (marjān). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this comparison illustrates the extraordinary luminosity and preciousness of the wives in Paradise—their skin and appearance possess a brilliance comparable to precious gems. The comparison emphasizes both their value and their transcendent, otherworldly beauty that exceeds earthly comprehension.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ar-Rahman, a Medinan surah that vividly describes the blessings of Paradise and the punishment of Hell. The surah repeatedly poses the question 'Which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?' (55:13). This specific ayah is part of an extended description of Paradise's inhabitants and their rewards, emphasizing the unimaginable beauty and comfort awaiting the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in various ahadith about Paradise that it contains what 'no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has not crossed the mind of any human being' (Sahih Bukhari, 3244). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi describes the wives of Paradise as possessing pure, refined natures created specifically for the righteous.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the rewards of Paradise transcend worldly beauty and material value, inviting believers to aspire toward righteousness by contemplating blessings beyond human imagination. It reminds us that true, eternal beauty and happiness await those who obey Allah and His Prophet, encouraging us to prioritize spiritual development over transient worldly concerns.