Az-Zumar (The Groups)

74. And [the people of Paradise] will say: “Praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit the land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will.” How excellent a reward for good doers!

It is the permanent disposition of the people of Paradise to say:

“Praise be to Allah”

following enjoyment of Divine Bounties.

The blessed Verse in question mentions four terse clauses revealing their utmost satisfaction:

“Praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us.”

The Verse further adds:

“[He] has made us inherit the land.” “The land” ad hoc designates “the land of Paradise” and “inherit”

indicates that so many bounties are bestowed upon them for little efforts. It is common knowledge that inheritance refers to something fallen into someone’s share without taking troubles. It may also allude to the fact that everyone has a place in Paradise and a place in Hell.

When he turns into one of the people of hell for his vicious deeds, his place in Paradise will be assigned to others, but if one becomes one of the people of Paradise, his place in Hell will remain there for those doomed to Hell.

It may also indicate that they may use it freely in the same manner that one may make use of his inheritance as he wish.

The clause actually reveals the fulfillment of Divine Promise which is also mentioned in 19:63,

“Such is the Paradise which we shall give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who have been God fearing.”

The third clause thus indicates their free will in making use of their Lord’s vast Paradise:

“We can dwell in Paradise where we will.”

Different Qur’anic Verses indicate that there are many a Garden in Paradise and the expression

“the everlasting Gardens of Paradise” (jannat ‘adn,1 )

refers to the same. People of Paradise dwell in them according to their spiritual states and stations. Thus they may freely select their abodes in the vast Gardens of Paradise.

They never opt for stations more exalted than theirs nor do they request the attainment to the same.

Finally, thus they say in the last clause:

“How excellent a reward for good doers!”

Good doers are those who act upon Divine Commands. It reveals that such rewards are bestowed because of past righteous good deeds.

Such excellence stems from faith and good deeds. Who asks the last clause, God Almighty or the people of Paradise?

Qur’anic exegets maintain that both are possible but it would be more consistent with other clauses in the same Verse if we considered it as an expression of surprise uttered by the people of Paradise.