وَتِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 72
Translations
And that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do.
Transliteration
Wa tilka al-jannatu allati uurithtumūha bimā kuntum ta'malūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that Paradise is inherited by the believers as a reward for their righteous deeds performed in this worldly life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'inherited' (uurithtumūha) signifies that Paradise becomes the eternal possession of the believers, just as heirs inherit from their predecessors, indicating that good deeds are the means by which one acquires this greatest reward. The ayah connects human responsibility and divine reward, showing that while Paradise is ultimately a gift from Allah, it is earned through consistent righteous action.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Az-Zukhruf, which is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists and affirming Islamic monotheism. The verse is part of the description of Paradise given to the believers, serving as motivation during the difficult period of early Islamic preaching in Mecca when Muslims faced persecution and needed reassurance of the ultimate reward awaiting the righteous.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Everyone will be admitted to Paradise whom Allah wills, through His mercy, but no one will enter Paradise through his deeds alone.' He was asked, 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy.' (Sahih Muslim 2816). Also relevant: 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most continuous, even if they are small' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4227), emphasizing consistent righteous action as the path to Paradise.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that Paradise is not granted arbitrarily but is directly connected to one's actions and commitment to righteousness, motivating believers to consistently perform good deeds and maintain spiritual discipline. It provides both hope and responsibility—hope in Allah's generous reward and responsibility to actively work towards earning it through continuous obedience.