وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٍ رِّزْقًا قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى رُزِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَأُتُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُتَشَٰبِهًا وَلَهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

“And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: this is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide.” — M. M. Pickthall

Tafsirs

AI-generated
Taberî9-10. c.✓ Citation verified

This text addresses the issue of who the one calling out to Mary in the phrase 'fenâdâhâ min tahtihâ' in the story of Mary is; according to some interpreters this is an angel, according to others it is Jesus himself after being born. Furthermore, Taberî explains how the difference between the fatha and kasra reading of the word 'tahte' changes the meaning: if read with kasra, the one calling out is someone beneath Mary (on the ground), if read with fatha, then Jesus himself is the agent. In addition, the text also includes the blessings of the people of paradise, the interpretation of 'tahtehâ min... el-enhâr' in various verses where it is repeated, and that righteous deeds mean obedience to Allah's commands and prohibitions.

وذلك أنه إذا قرئ بالكسر كان في قوله {فناداها} ذكر من عيسى: وإذا قرئ (من تحتها) بالفتح كان الفعل لمن وهو عيسى. فتأويل الكلام إذن: فناداها المولود من تحتها ألا تحزني يا أمه
Zemahşerî12. c.✓ Citation verified

In this passage, Zemahşerî discusses various reading differences in the verse and to whom the pronouns (tahtehâ, nâdâhâ) refer; he relates views such as whether the one calling out is Gabriel or Jesus, whether 'tahtehâ' is beneath Mary or beneath the date palm tree. He also explains the reason why the date palm and the river (serî) are presented to Mary as consolation, not merely as food and drink, but as miracles showing that she was among the protected ones.

لم تقع التسلية بهما من حيث أنهما طعام وشراب ، ولكن من حيث أنهما معجزتان تريان الناس أنها من أهل العصمة
Fahreddin er-Râzî12-13. c.✓ Citation verified

In this text, Râzî states that the blessings given to the people of paradise are free from fear of loss, continuous, and in complete delight; he discusses that the phrase 'kullemmâ ruziku minhâ min semeratin' in the verse refers to the similarity of paradise fruits to worldly fruits, and this comparison can indicate either equality in the amount and degree of provision or only similarity in appearance (as reported from Hasan). He also explains that the purity of spouses means being cleansed from both menstruation and istihaaza as well as from reprehensible qualities.

الثاني : المراد تشابهها في المنظر فيكون الثاني كأنه الأول على ما روي عن الحسن ثم هؤلاء مختلفون فمنهم من يقول الاشتباه كما يقع في المنظر يقع في المطعم
Kurtubî13. c.✓ Citation verified

Kurtubî conveys different views about the identity of 'believers who perform righteous deeds' mentioned in the verse: according to those who say it refers to the Ansar, this means sharing their wealth and dwellings; according to those who say it refers to the Quraysh, this means migration; according to those who say it is general, righteous deeds are all actions that please Allah. He also touches on the issue of whether paradise is attained through faith alone or through both faith and deeds; the view that paradise is attained through faith and degrees are attained through deeds is also related.

فالجنة تنال بالإيمان والعمل الصالح وقيل : الجنة تنال بالإيمان والدرجات تستحق بالأعمال الصالحات
İbn Kesîr14. c.✓ Citation verified

According to Ibn Kesîr, this verse expresses that the fruits of paradise resemble worldly fruits in form and name but are completely different in taste. When the people of paradise see the fruits brought to them, they say 'this is what we were provided with before' because they resemble what is in the world, but when they taste it they realize it is different. Additionally, the phrase 'mutahhara' in the verse indicates that spouses are cleansed from all types of filth such as menstruation, feces, and urine.

قال سفيان الثوري عن الأعمش عن أبي ظبيان عن ابن عباس لا يشبه شيء مما في الجنة ما في الدنيا إلا في الأسماء وفي رواية ليس في الدنيا مما في الجنة إلا الأسماء
Beydâvî13. c.✓ Citation verified

According to this interpreter, the verse is a contrast in reference to the previous sentence, where the condition of those who believe and perform righteous deeds is mentioned in opposition to the state where the punishment of the disbelievers is described; this stems from the divine custom of using both encouragement and warning together. Beydâvî also points out that 'good news' is exclusive to the announcement of glad tidings, and the fact that faith and righteous deeds are mentioned together shows that the reason for deserving this good news is their combination, indicating that righteous deeds are a separate element from faith. Linguistic and allusive explanations are also provided regarding the naming of paradise, its multiplicity (seven paradises), and the flowing of rivers beneath the trees of paradise.

وعطف العمل على الإيمان مرتبا للحكم عليهما إشعارا بأن السبب في استحقاق هذه البشارة مجموع الأمرين والجمع بين الوصفين، فإن الإيمان الذي هو عبارة عن التحقيق والتصديق أس، والعمل الصالح كالبناء عليه، ولا غناء بأس لا بناء عليه

Comparison

Common ground

The common tendency of the interpreters is to base their explanations on narrations transmitted from earlier scholars (such as Ibn Abbas, Katade, Mujahid, Hasan) by determining the referents of pronouns and readings (Taberî and Zemahşerî's effort to determine the reference of 'tahtehâ') and word meanings (Râzî and Ibn Kesîr's explanation of the similarity of paradise fruits to worldly fruits; Râzî and Ibn Kesîr's interpretation of the 'tahârat' of spouses as being purified from physical and moral filth). Additionally, in Kurtubî and Beydâvî, the joint treatment of the relationship between faith and deeds and the emphasis on righteous deeds as a separate element is a common point.

Differences

While Taberî and Zemahşerî focus on the identity of the one calling out (angel/Gabriel or Jesus) and the reading difference of the word 'tahte', Râzî and Ibn Kesîr concentrate on the nature of paradise blessings and the issue of similarity; this difference stems from the differences in the verses being addressed. Methodologically, while Taberî predominantly conveys narrations, Zemahşerî uses eloquence and kalamic interrogative-answer style (Mu'tazilite method); Râzî emphasizes linguistic and logical comparison; Kurtubî and Beydâvî add a more legal-theological dimension by including juridical inferences (faith-deeds, definition of good news). Additionally, in Kurtubî, a historical/sociological discussion (Ansar or Quraysh) stands out, which is absent in the others.

Historical context

While the earliest interpreter Taberî (3rd-4th century) relies predominantly on narration transmission, Zemahşerî (6th century, Mu'tazilite) adds eloquence and kalamic rational explanations to this; Râzî (6th-7th century) systematizes linguistic and logical comparison. Kurtubî (7th century) makes juridical inferences and socio-historical context (Ansar-Quraysh discussion) more evident. Ibn Kesîr (8th century) returns to the narration methodology (especially hadith) and stands close to the Taberî tradition, but uses hadith sources (the two Sahihs) more systematically. Beydâvî (7th century) combines an abbreviated and language-focused approach with juridical definitions. In general, as the period progresses, a shift from narration-weighted interpretation to linguistic/eloquence and kalamic-juridical analysis is observed, but the fundamental narration sources (companion and successor views) remain a fixed reference point in all periods.

Modern connection

The interpreters' joint treatment of faith with righteous deeds provides a reminder that belief should not remain merely in speech and intention but must be integrated with constructive, service-oriented behavior in our modern times. Additionally, paradise blessings being described by comparison to worldly blessings can be read as an example of seeking harmony rather than contradiction between knowledge and faith. The approach of different-period interpreters to the same verse using various methods such as narration, language, and rational reasoning can today encourage an attitude of learning and dialogue that is respectful and tolerant of different perspectives.

AI analysis — not a fatwa or ruling, not yet reviewed by a scholar