Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:23
سُورَةُ القِيَامَةِ · Meccan · Verse 23 of 40
إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌۭ
Translation
looking towards their Lord,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This beautiful verse describes the ultimate joy and honor for the people of Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Following the previous verse which mentions "radiant faces" (وجوه يومئذ ناضرة), this ayah explains the profound reason for their glow: "إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ" (Gazing at their Lord).
What "Gazing" Means
The Arabic word "ناظِرَةٌ" (nādhirah), when used with the preposition "إلى" (ila, meaning 'to' or 'at'), typically refers to looking or seeing with the eyes. While some linguistic interpretations propose meanings like "expecting" or "awaiting," the plain meaning supported by the Ayah Context and the consensus of mainstream Islamic scholarship (Ahl al-Sunna) is that the believers will genuinely see Allah, their Creator and Master, on that Day. As Imam al-Razi explains, even if the word implies turning the eye, when applied to Allah, it means the actual sight, which is the desired outcome. This vision is a supreme honor and a source of immense delight, as confirmed by numerous authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is a seeing "without 'how'" (بلا كيف), meaning we affirm the seeing but do not delve into how it is possible, as Allah is beyond human comprehension.
The Emphasis of the Gaze
Notice the unique word order: "إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ" (To their Lord, gazing). The phrase "إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا" (to their Lord) is placed at the beginning of the clause. As Imam Ibn Ashur points out, this grammatical structure emphasizes the extraordinary nature of this gift. It highlights *who* the believers are looking at: their Lord. This fronting is for emphasis on the wondrousness of this particular gift, not to imply that they will see *only* Allah and nothing else in Paradise. Rather, it signifies that beholding their Lord will be the most cherished and central aspect of their vision, the ultimate joy for which their faces beam with radiance.
A Subtle Connection
There is a beautiful linguistic artistry between this verse and the one before it. The previous verse speaks of "وجوه يومئذ ناضرة" (faces radiant and beautiful), and this verse follows with "إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ" (gazing at their Lord). The words "ناضِرَةٌ" (nādhirah, meaning radiant) and "ناظِرَةٌ" (nādhirah, meaning gazing) share a profound similarity in sound and root letters. This subtle wordplay, highlighted by Ibn Ashur, draws a direct link: the radiance on their faces is a direct result of the unparalleled bliss and honor of gazing upon their Lord. Their external beauty reflects the internal serenity and overwhelming joy of this Divine encounter.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:23 is discussed in 8 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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