As-Sajda (The Prostration)

19. “As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, the gardens (of bliss) are their abiding-place, and entertainment for what they used to do.”

20. “And as for those who transgress, their abode is the Fire. Whenever they desire to go out of it, they shall be brought back into it, and it shall be said to them: ‘Taste the chastisement of the Fire which you used to deny’.”

In the previous verse (No. 18) it was simply asked whether a believer and an evil-doer are equal. The above verse explains the fate of both of them.

It says:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, the gardens (of bliss) are their abiding-place…”

Then it implicitly adds that these gardens of abiding-place are the means of Allah’s entertainment instead of the good deeds they did.

The verse continues saying:

“…and entertainment for what they used to do.”

The Arabic word /nuzulan/ is usually used for something which is provided for the guest. This is a narrow indication for this reason that the believers will ceaselessly be entertained in Paradise like some guests, while the people of the Hell, as will be said through the next verse, are like some prisoners that whenever they wish to come out from it they will be brought back into it.

And if we see that Surah Al-Kahf, No. 18, verse 102 says:

“…Verily We have prepared Hell for the infidels to be entertained (therein)”

it is, indeed, from the kind of

“…give tiding to them of a painful chastisement.”

This indirectly says that instead of entertaining them they will be punished and instead of giving them glad tidings it threatens them.

Some commentators believe that /nuzul/ (an entertainment) is the first thing by which a new entered guest is entertained. Thus, it is a tender indication to this fact that the gardens of bliss as their abiding-place, with all the bounties therein, are the first entertainment of these Divine guests, and after them there will be many other merits of which no one is aware but Allah.

The application of the Qur’anic phrase: /lahum jannatun/ can be a hint to this matter that Allah does not give them these gardens as a loan, but they will be in their possession eternally, in a way that the probability of the transience of these bounties never disturbs the calmness of their thought.

The next verse speaks about the opposite group who disobey Allah, where it says:

“And as for those who transgress, their abode is the Fire…”

They will be prisoners in this terrible abode forever in a way that:

“…Whenever they desire to go out of it, they shall be brought back into it, and it shall be said to them: ‘Taste the chastisement of the Fire which you used to deny’.”

Again we see here that the Divine punishment has been appointed for infidelity and rejection, which is a recompense for one’s deed. This matter points to this fact that faith alone is not enough but it must be a motive for action, while disbelief alone is enough for the punishment although there is not any action accompanied with it.