Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:17
سُورَةُ الوَاقِعَةِ · Meccan · Verse 17 of 96
يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ
Translation
everlasting youths will go round among them
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'Immortal youths circulate among them.' al-Saadi and Ibn Ashur note 'wildan mukhalladun', ageless servers who never grow old or falter, attending the people of Paradise perpetually, their youth and service never diminishing. Ask yourself: everything that serves me here wears out, helpers tire, comforts break down, even the young age. This verse pictures service that never decays, given by those who never weary. It points, beneath the image, to a world where nothing runs down, nothing ages toward loss. The relentless entropy I live under, the sense that everything good is slowly winding down, is not the final law. In the Gardens, even the servers are 'immortal'. What in me is exhausted by the constant winding-down of things, and secretly longing for a world that doesn't decay?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Saadi, Ibn Ashur, al-Biqa'i.
Wording
In this beautiful verse, Allah paints a vivid picture of the serene and perfectly catered experience awaiting the people of Paradise. Following the description of the righteous reclining on adorned couches, Allah (who is speaking) reveals a delightful aspect of their service and comfort. The verse introduces us to the young servants of Jannah (Paradise), promising an environment of perpetual ease and joy.
The Ever-Present Service
The verse begins with "يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ" (yatoofu alayhim), meaning "they circulate among them" or "they serve them by circling around them." The word *yatafu* (يطوف) implies a continuous, dedicated presence. As Ibn Ashur notes, the root suggests repeated movement around something, which conveys a sense of constant attendance and readiness to serve. Imagine a host whose servants are always near, anticipating needs, without ever being intrusive or burdensome. This imagery emphasizes the seamless, effortless comfort enjoyed by the inhabitants of Paradise.
Ever-Youthful Attendants
The verse then describes these servants as "وِلْدَانٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ" (wildaanun mukhalladoon). The word "وِلْدَانٌ" (wildaan) is the plural of *waleed*, meaning a child or youth. Scholars like al-Razi explain that while its root refers to being "born," here it signifies young people, detached from the idea of parentage. Al-Zamakhshari and al-Jalalayn further clarify that these are "on the form of children" or "youths," embodying the ideal age for service and vitality.
The descriptive word "مُّخَلَّدُونَ" (mukhalladoon) is particularly profound. The primary understanding, emphasized by scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, is that these youths are *eternal and perpetually youthful*. They will not age, change, or decay. Unlike children in this world who grow old, these servants will forever retain their fresh, lively, and beautiful appearance. This ensures that the delightful service and perfect ambiance of Paradise remain constant and untouched by the changes of time. Al-Razi explicitly states that this means "they do not change from their state and remain small always, they do not grow up or grow beards."
A secondary, less emphasized interpretation by some scholars, including al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, suggests that "mukhalladoon" might also mean "adorned with earrings," referencing a practice of beautifying young servants. However, the meaning of perpetual youth and immortality is generally considered more fitting and primary in the context of Paradise's eternal blessings.
In essence, these youths embody Allah's perfect provision: service that is not only constant but also visually pleasing and unchanging, reflecting the everlasting perfection of Jannah itself.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:17 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 Al-Waqi'ah 56:17 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.