مُتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَىٰ رَفْرَفٍ خُضْرٍ وَعَبْقَرِىٍّ حِسَانٍ 76
Translations
Reclining on green cushions and beautiful fine carpets.
Transliteration
Muttakiʾīna ʿalā rafrafin khudrin wa-ʿabqariyyin hisān
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inhabitants of Paradise reclining upon green cushions and beautiful silk carpets, emphasizing the physical comfort and luxurious surroundings awaiting the righteous in the afterlife. The 'rafraf' (cushions) and 'abqari' (fine silk brocade) represent the finest furnishings, while the color green symbolizes freshness, beauty, and eternal blessing. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that these descriptions are meant to convey incomparable splendor that transcends earthly comprehension, encouraging believers toward righteous deeds.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman, revealed in Madinah, is dedicated to describing the bounties and blessings of Allah (Ar-Rahman - 'The Beneficent'), with particular emphasis on the rewards of Paradise and the consequences of rejecting divine mercy. This ayah appears in a passage (55:54-76) that progressively describes the gardens, provisions, and furnishings of Paradise to inspire hope and gratitude in believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in Sahih Muslim: 'In Paradise, there are things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.' This hadith complements the ayah by emphasizing that Quranic descriptions of Paradise, while vivid, represent only a glimpse of its actual magnificence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah has prepared incomparable comforts and beauty for those who maintain piety and righteousness, serving as a powerful motivation to pursue spiritual discipline and good deeds in this temporal life for eternal reward.