خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ 22
Translations
[They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allāh has with Him a great reward.
Transliteration
Khālidīna fīhā abadā. Inna Allāha 'indahu ajrun 'aẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the description of Paradise, emphasizing that the believers will dwell in it eternally (abadan). The phrase 'Indeed, with Allah is a great reward' (Inna Allāha 'indahu ajrun 'aẓīm) underscores that Paradise itself is the ultimate reward from Allah for the righteous. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this eternal residence in Paradise represents the culmination of Divine mercy and justice, as Allah grants His servants an everlasting abode of bliss as recompense for their faith and righteous deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), a Medinan surah dealing with repentance, obligations of believers, and the distinction between the faithful and the hypocrites. The broader passage (9:21-22) describes the rewards promised to those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, establishing the eternal nature of Paradise as motivation for spiritual commitment and righteous action.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'In Paradise there are things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has ever imagined' (Sahih Bukhari 4779). Additionally, Jābir ibn 'Abdullah reported that the Prophet said: 'Whoever enters Paradise will not wish to return to this world, even if he were offered all that is in it' (Sahih Muslim 2838).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the reward for faith and obedience is not temporary worldly gain, but eternal residence in Paradise—a blessing beyond human comprehension. The certainty of this promise should inspire unwavering commitment to Islamic principles and help believers maintain perspective on life's trials and tribulations.
Related Ayahs
فَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
So let not their wealth or their children impress you. Allāh only intends to punish them through them in worldly life and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers.
۞ أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ ٱلْحَآجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَجَـٰهَدَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ لَا يَسْتَوُۥنَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allāh and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allāh? They are not equal in the sight of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muḥammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times - never will Allāh forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allāh and His Messenger, and Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا۟ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allāh is over all things competent.