Surah Az-Zumar 39:73
سُورَةُ الزُّمَرِ · Meccan · Verse 73 of 75
وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ
Translation
Those who were mindful of their Lord will be led in throngs to the Garden. When they arrive, they will find its gates wide open, and its keepers will say to them, ‘Peace be upon you. You have been good. Come in: you are here to stay,’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This beautiful verse paints a vivid picture of the journey of the pious to Paradise. It addresses those who feared their Lord and lived in obedience to Him, describing their reception with immense honor and warmth.
The Honorable Escort
The verse begins by saying, "وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا" (And those who feared their Lord were led to Paradise in groups). The word *waseeqa* (وَسِيقَ), meaning "they were driven" or "escorted," might seem unusual for people destined for honor, as it's also used for the disbelievers being driven to Hell. However, scholars like al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari explain the profound difference. For the righteous, it's not a harsh, humiliating drive. Instead, it signifies their joyful acceleration towards their abode of honor, perhaps by speeding up their mounts, much like honored guests are hastened to a king's court. Ibn Ashur suggests this choice of word, despite its general meaning, is a linguistic artistry, a *mushakala*, echoing the sound of the previous description but with a completely different, dignified meaning. They arrive *zumaran* (زُمَرًا), in groups, reflecting their varying ranks of piety, yet united in their bliss.
Open Doors and a Warm Welcome
As they draw near, "حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا" (until when they came to it, and its doors were opened). Notice the small, yet significant, letter *wa* (و) before "futihat abwabuha" (its doors were opened). Al-Razi, al-Zamakhshari, and al-Jalalayn highlight this detail. Unlike the gates of Hell which open only upon the arrival of its inhabitants, the gates of Paradise are *already* open for the pious, as a supreme sign of honor and anticipation. Ibn Ashur notes this *wa* implies the state: "they came to it *while* its doors had already been opened." They are greeted by its keepers: "وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ" (and its keepers said to them, "Peace be upon you"). This is a greeting of absolute safety and welcome, a profound assurance of protection from every affliction.
Purity and Eternal Abode
The angels continue, "طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَٰلِدِينَ" (You have become pure; so enter it, abiding eternally). The phrase *tibtum* (طِبْتُمْ) means "you have become good" or "pure." Scholars explain this refers to their purification from the defilement of sins and the impurities of mistakes. As al-Zamakhshari beautifully puts it, Paradise is a dwelling purified from all dirt and defilement, so only those who are compatible with its purity may enter. The connecting particle *fa* (فَ) in *fadkhuluha* (فَٱدْخُلُوهَا), meaning "so enter it," signifies that their entry is a direct consequence of this purification and their righteous deeds. Their reward is not temporary; they are *khaalideen* (خَٰلِدِينَ), meaning they will abide there forever, in eternal bliss.
The Unspeakable Joy
A profound point of wording here is what is *unsaid*. The verse sets up a condition: "حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا... وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا..." (Until when they came to it... and its keepers said to them...). Grammatically, there should be an "answer" or consequence to this "when." However, this answer is omitted. Al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari explain this intentional omission signifies that the joy, honor, and delight they experience upon reaching Paradise are so vast and perfect that no words can adequately describe them. The unspoken joy is a greater testament to the reward than any description could be.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Az-Zumar 39:73 is discussed in 14 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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