Surah Muhammad 47:12
سُورَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ · Medinan · Verse 12 of 38
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ وَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ
Translation
God will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens graced with flowing streams; the disbelievers may take their fill of pleasure in this world, and eat as cattle do, but the Fire will be their home.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse from Surah Muhammad draws a stark contrast between the ultimate destinies of those who believe and those who reject faith. Allah Himself speaks directly here, addressing both groups to highlight their different paths and outcomes.
The Believers' Reward
Allah begins by revealing His promise to the believers, "Indeed, Allah will admit those who believed and did righteous deeds to Gardens beneath which rivers flow" (إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ). The phrase "tajree min tahtiha al-anhar" (تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ), meaning "rivers flow beneath them," is a recurring description of Paradise. Scholars like al-Razi note that mentioning rivers often implies the presence of lush trees and abundant fruits, as rivers are essential for life. The phrasing suggests a land where water is not just present but actively flowing, nurturing the environment, signifying complete bliss and sustenance. Al-Razi also points out that Allah uses a verb of promise for the believers, "yudkhilu" (will admit), emphasizing His grace and generosity.
The Disbelievers' Worldly Enjoyment
In stark contrast, the verse turns to those who disbelieve: "And those who disbelieved enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat" (وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ). The choice of "yatamatta'oona" (يَتَمَتَّعُونَ), meaning "they enjoy themselves," often carries a nuance of temporary or fleeting pleasure, as Ibn Ashur notes. The most striking linguistic feature here is the comparison "kama ta'kulu al-an'aam" (كَما تَأْكُلُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ), meaning "as cattle eat." This isn't just about the act of eating, but the *manner* of it. Al-Zamakhshari explains that it refers to eating "unmindful, not thinking of the outcome," like livestock grazing in fields, oblivious to their eventual slaughter. Al-Razi expands on this, highlighting that cattle live only for their appetites and do not reflect on their Creator or their fate. Similarly, disbelievers indulge in worldly pleasures without using them as a means to recognize Allah or prepare for the Hereafter. Their focus is purely on physical gratification, devoid of spiritual purpose.
Their Final Abode
The verse concludes with a grim certainty for the disbelievers: "And the Fire will be a dwelling for them" (وَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ). The word "mathwan" (مَثْوًۭى) signifies a place of permanent settling or abode. Ibn Ashur highlights that the phrasing "mathwan lahum" (مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ), using the indefinite noun with a prepositional phrase, implies a strong and fixed establishment. It conveys a deep, inescapable permanence in their abode. Unlike the promise of admission for believers, the declaration of Hellfire as their dwelling is a statement of an established, inevitable reality for those who lived heedlessly.
This verse, through its precise word choices and vivid comparisons, powerfully illustrates the fundamental difference in outlook and ultimate fate between faith and disbelief, urging the listener to reflect on their own life's purpose.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Qur'anic Worlds
This verse from Surah Muhammad draws a vivid contrast between two distinct paths and their ultimate destinations, inviting us to reflect on where we stand. Allah, the Exalted, is the speaker, addressing humanity with a clear promise and a stern warning.
Believers' Destiny
The first part of the verse speaks of those "who believed and did righteous deeds" (ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ). Allah promises to admit them to "Gardens beneath which rivers flow" (جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ). This imagery is central to the Quran's depiction of Paradise, a place of honor and endless delight. As Imam al-Razi explains, rivers symbolize the source of life and nourishment, bringing forth trees and fruits, a complete and blissful environment. It highlights the ultimate reward awaiting believers in the World of Revelation, a reward that transcends anything this temporary world can offer.
The Disbelievers' Worldly Life
In stark contrast, the verse describes "those who disbelieved" (وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟). It states that they "enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat" (يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ). This powerful analogy, according to scholars like al-Baghawi and Ibn Kathir, refers to their life in this world (dunya). They immerse themselves in worldly pleasures, eating and gratifying their desires without higher purpose, heedless of what awaits them.
Sayyid Qutb highlights the profound degradation in this comparison, stripping away the essence of humanity. Unlike animals, humans are endowed with will, values, and a conscience guided by divine principles. When people live solely for consumption and pleasure, without regard for right and wrong, they lose their distinct human qualities and become akin to grazing animals. Imam al-Razi expands on this, noting that cattle are concerned only with eating, unreflective of their Creator, and fattened for a fate they ignore. Similarly, disbelievers pursue worldly gains without spiritual reflection, oblivious to their ultimate destination. The believer, in contrast, sees this world as a temporary stop, a "prison" compared to the vast gardens of the Hereafter, as al-Razi beautifully illustrates, using the worldly enjoyment to strengthen themselves for righteous deeds.
Their Final Abode
The verse concludes with the definitive statement about the disbelievers: "And the Fire is their dwelling" (وَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ). This is their ultimate abode and destination in the Hereafter, a stark finality after their heedless worldly enjoyment. This immediate shift from fleeting pleasure to eternal suffering underscores the gravity of their chosen path.
This verse sets two distinct "Quranic Worlds" side by side: the temporal world, where choices determine eternal outcomes, and the eternal Hereafter. It invites us to reflect on our priorities and motivations, reminding us that true enjoyment is not merely about physical consumption but about aligning our lives with divine guidance for an everlasting reward.
Sources: al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Muhammad 47:12 is discussed in 7 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Muhammad 47:12 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.