Al-Ankaboot (The Spider)

58. “And those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will certainly lodge them in lofty chambers of Paradise beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever; how excellent is the recompense of those who act (aright).”

The condition of being admitted to Heaven is Faith and righteous deed. Allah has promised Paradise unto the believers, so, in this verse, He says:

“And those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will certainly lodge them in lofty chambers of Paradise beneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever…”

Such believers will surely abide in the castles which are surrounded by Heavenly trees from every side, and beneath which, according to other verses of the Qur’an, various rivers, with different special tests and views, flow.

Be attentive that the Arabic word /quraf/ is the plural form of /qurfah/ which means a lofty building that is dominant over its sides.

Another privilege of the chambers of Paradise is that they are not like the houses and castles of this world where after a short time and before a complete rest of man, the call of movement is heard, but they will dwell there forever.

Then, at the end of the verse, the Qur’an adds:

“…how excellent is the recompense of those who act (aright).”

A simple comparison between what was said about pagans and sinners in the previous verses, and what is said in this holy verse, makes the greatness of the believers’ reward clear.

The disbelievers will be in a Fire and punishment which envelops their whole body from head to feet, and as a scorn they will be told taste whatever you used to do.

But the believers will be in the midst of bounties of Heaven, and the mercy of Allah encompasses them from every side. They do not hear any scorn, but instead they hear some words all of which are the signs of love and grace of the Gracious Lord.

Yes, they will be told:

“…how excellent is the recompense of those who act (aright).”

It is obvious that the objective meaning of the Qur’anic word /‘amilin/ (those who act), with the frame of reference of the sentences before it, is those who have faith and do righteous deeds, though the word /‘amilin/ is absolute.

The holy Prophet (S) in a tradition said:

“Verily there are some chambers in the Heaven so transparent that their outwards are seen from their inwards, and their inwards are seen from their outwards.”

Someone asked him:

“To whom do these chambers belong, O’ Messenger of Allah?”

He (S) answered:

“These chambers belong to those who purify their speech, satiate the hungry (ones), observe the fact frequently, and keep prayer at night (for the sake of Allah) when people are asleep.”1