Az-Zumar (The Groups)

73. And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say peace be upon you! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein!

Purity is the prerequisite to being admitted to Paradise which has come into being owing to either someone’s primordial natural disposition or repentance.

According to a narration narrated from Imam ‘Ali (as) in Kitab al-Khisal,

“Paradise has eight gates, each of which is for a certain group: one for Prophets and sincerely devout believers, one for martyrs and good doers, five for my adherents (shi’a), and one for Muslims who bear no grudge against me.”1

The blessed Verse in question resumes the discussion on the hereafter. The preceding Verses treated of the manner by which believers enter Hell but the Verse in question expresses the way righteous believers enter Paradise so that the comparison sheds further light on the issue.

The Verse opens with saying that those who feared God shall be taken to Paradise in groups.

The expression:

“will be led” (siqa), taken from s-w-q (“drive, lead”) in the clause: “Those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise”

arises a question attracting the attention of many an exeget, since the expression is employed when something is carried out without enthusiasm and inclination.

It is true about the people of Hell but why is it used for the people of Paradise who enthusiastically proceed toward Paradise?

Some exegets suggest that the enthusiasm of meeting their Lords has attracted their attention to such an extent that they do not heed anything besides him, even Paradise. Some maintain that they are alighted on mounts taking them to Paradise in no time.

All these suggestions are consistent and stand to reason, but it is worthy of note that the best interpretation may be the fact that the more the righteous are eager to enter Paradise, Paradise and angels of Mercy are more eager to admit them to their everlasting abode.

Likewise, a host may at times be so eager to meet his guest that he will take him faster than the guest proceeding toward him.

It is noteworthy that the word:

zumar (“small group”)

indicates that the people of Paradise proceed toward their everlasting abode in different groups revealing the hierarchy of their spiritual states.

Upon reaching Paradise, they notice that the gates have been already opened to them.

Then the guardians and keepers of Paradise, the angels of Mercy say unto them:

“Peace be upon you! You have done will, so enter here to abide therein!”

It would be of interest to note that upon reaching Hell, the gates open where as the gates had been already open for people of paradise.

Having already been open makes a reference to the respect paid to the people of Paradise, like a host who has opened the gate of his house and willingly awaiting to meet his guest. The angels of Divine Mercy act accordingly.

The preceding Verse treated of the people of Hell who are reproached by the angels of torment upon their arrival censuring them that despite the availability of the means of guidance, such misfortune befell them. However, the people of Paradise are welcomed by greetings and words revealing respect and homage following which they will be invited to enter their everlasting abode!

The verbal form:

tibtum (“you have done well”) is taken from t-’-b (“be good, be pleased”), which following greetings is used in the sense of “be pleased, be happy,” in other words, thus the angels say unto them: “Enjoy these pure Bounties, O you who are pure of heart and nature!”

However, many an exeget consider the clause to be in the indicative mood taking it to mean that the angels say unto them:

“You have been purified of any impurity. Faith and righteous good deeds have purified your hearts and souls. You are absolved of your sins.”

Some of the exegets even cite a narration according to which there is a tree at the gate of Paradise underneath which there is a fountain of pure water from which believers drink and thus purify themselves inwardly.

They wash themselves in another spring and thus cleanse themselves outwardly.

Then the keepers of Paradise say unto them:

“peace be upon you! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein!”2

It is to be noted that

“everlasting abode”

is mentioned for peoples of Hell and Paradise so as the former know that there is no deliverance and the latter may not entertain any concern regarding the transience of Divine Bounties.