Surah Qaf 50:32
سُورَةُ قٓ · Meccan · Verse 32 of 45
هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍۢ
Translation
‘This is what you were promised––this is for everyone who turned often to God and kept Him in mind,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse is a direct address, a momentous declaration to those entering Paradise, building upon the previous verse that spoke of Paradise being brought near to the righteous. Here, Allah Himself affirms, through the plain meaning, the promise being fulfilled.
This is Your Promise
The verse opens with "هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ" (Hādhā mā tūʿadūna), meaning "This is what you were promised." The word "هَٰذَا" (Hādhā), "this," is a demonstrative pronoun that makes the promise immediate and tangible, as if the reward is directly before them. Scholars like Ibn Ashur point out that "this" refers to the entire array of blessings they are now witnessing. Al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi note that this phrase acts as an interjected, almost parenthetical, statement. It's a powerful divine assurance, cutting through the narrative to directly confirm to the believers: everything you hoped for, every promise made, is now a vivid reality.
The Qualities of the Promised
The promise is specified "لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍ" (li-kulli awwābin ḥafīẓin), meaning "for every Awwāb, Hafeez." The structure here is significant. As al-Zamakhshari, al-Razi, and Ibn Ashur explain, this phrase acts as a *badal* (a grammatical substitute) for "the righteous" (المتقين) mentioned in the preceding verse. This means these two profound words, "أَوَّاب" and "حَفِيظ", define and clarify precisely who "the righteous" are who receive this great reward.
Both "أَوَّاب" and "حَفِيظ" are intensive forms in Arabic, indicating frequency and abundance.
* "أَوَّاب" comes from the root meaning "to return." It describes someone who is frequently returning (رجّاع) to Allah. Al-Zamakhshari explains it as returning to Allah's remembrance. Al-Razi adds that it's someone who returns from sins and seeks forgiveness, or returns to Allah with deep thought, turning away from his desires. Ibn Ashur beautifully synthesizes this, noting it signifies one who is constant in obedience, and if a slip occurs, he immediately follows it with sincere repentance. This isn't about perfection, but persistence in turning back to Allah.
* "حَفِيظ" means one who frequently preserves or guards. Scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Zamakhshari define it as safeguarding Allah's boundaries (حدوده تعالى). Al-Razi expands on this, saying it’s someone who guards his repentance from being broken, or preserves Allah in his remembrance, never forgetting Him even in times of ease. It highlights a conscious, continuous effort to maintain one's connection and obedience to Allah.
Thus, the precise wording of this verse paints a vivid picture of the believer destined for Paradise: not just someone who believes, but one who actively and consistently returns to Allah in all circumstances, and diligently safeguards His commands and his own spiritual state.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Qaf 50:32 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Qaf 50:32 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.