Indeed, on this Day, the people of Paradise are joyfully occupied
In the preceding verses, the Quran spoke of resurrection, the gathering of all people before God, and perfect justice on the Day of Judgement. The scene now changes to the fate of those who enter Paradise. While that Day brings fear and regret to those who denied it, the people of Paradise live amid peace, joy and God's blessings.
The expression “joyfully occupied” offers a vivid picture of their life. The Arabic word shughul describes something that holds a person's attention and draws it away from other matters. Here, however, it is not tiring work or a troubling burden. The people of Paradise are so immersed in enjoyment and happiness that it fills their attention.
The word fākihūn also conveys delight, good spirits and pleasure. It is not restricted to eating fruit or to any single blessing. Rather, it describes people content with their lives, enjoying God's gifts with ease and happiness.
Even our happiest moments in this world can be overshadowed by anxiety about the future, sorrow over the past, fear of losing loved ones or simple exhaustion. The image of Paradise here is of a life in which joy and the enjoyment of blessings replace those worldly burdens. Its people are neither struggling to attain happiness nor fearing that it will end; they are surrounded by lasting delight.
In the preceding verses, the Quran spoke of resurrection, the gathering of all people before God, and perfect justice on the Day of Judgement. The scene now changes to the fate of those who enter Paradise. While that Day brings fear and regret to those who denied it, the people of Paradise live amid peace, joy and God's blessings.
The expression “joyfully occupied” offers a vivid picture of their life. The Arabic word shughul describes something that holds a person's attention and draws it away from other matters. Here, however, it is not tiring work or a troubling burden. The people of Paradise are so immersed in enjoyment and happiness that it fills their attention.
The word fākihūn also conveys delight, good spirits and pleasure. It is not restricted to eating fruit or to any single blessing. Rather, it describes people content with their lives, enjoying God's gifts with ease and happiness.
Even our happiest moments in this world can be overshadowed by anxiety about the future, sorrow over the past, fear of losing loved ones or simple exhaustion. The image of Paradise here is of a life in which joy and the enjoyment of blessings replace those worldly burdens. Its people are neither struggling to attain happiness nor fearing that it will end; they are surrounded by lasting delight.