بَيْضَآءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ 46
Translations
White and delicious to the drinkers;
Transliteration
Baydaa'u lazzatin lish-sharibeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a drink in Paradise that is white in color and delightful to those who drink it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to pure, cool drinks of Paradise, possibly milk or other beverages, emphasizing the sensory pleasures and purity of Paradise's blessings. The term 'baydaa' (white) symbolizes purity and clarity, while 'lazzah' (delightful/sweet) highlights the exquisite taste that surpasses earthly experiences.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which focuses on the ranks of angels and descriptions of Paradise and Hell. The context is part of a broader Quranic passage (37:40-49) describing the rewards of the righteous in Paradise, meant to motivate believers and provide hope during the challenging early Meccan period of Islam.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the rivers of Paradise: 'In Paradise there are rivers of milk whose taste does not change, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey' (Sahih Bukhari 3326). This hadith directly complements the description of delightful drinks in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the rewards of obedience to Allah far exceed worldly pleasures, encouraging perseverance through life's hardships with the promise of pure, eternal bliss in Paradise. It emphasizes that true satisfaction and joy come from righteous deeds and closeness to Allah.