Quranic verse, translation and commentary at iSerat
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Surah Ya-Sin — Verse 57
لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ وَلَهُمْ مَا يَدَّعُونَ
There they will have fruit, and they will have whatever they desire
After describing the peace and companionship enjoyed by the people of Paradise, the Quran turns to the abundance of the blessings given to them. It first mentions fruit, a familiar pleasure that people also enjoy in earthly life. But the verse immediately widens the picture: the blessings of Paradise extend far beyond this one example.
The phrase “they will have whatever they desire” means that what they wish and long for will be available to them. The Arabic verb yaddaʿūn here conveys wishing or desiring; it does not mean making a claim in the ordinary modern sense of the word. Thus the verse moves from one recognisable blessing to the wider fulfilment of the desires of Paradise's inhabitants.
In this world, human wishes are limited by circumstances. People may long for something they cannot attain, or may lose it after finally obtaining it. Even enjoyable things may be accompanied by struggle or the fear of loss. In the Quran's depiction of Paradise, such limitations no longer overshadow their enjoyment.
Importantly, the verse leaves the range of blessings open. We cannot describe everything awaiting them by listing only the gifts familiar to us. Fruit is an accessible example, while “whatever they desire” opens a much wider horizon.
Divine reward is therefore more than release from pain and punishment. A life rich in blessings, contentment and fulfilled wishes is also part of the good end promised to the people of Paradise.
After describing the peace and companionship enjoyed by the people of Paradise, the Quran turns to the abundance of the blessings given to them. It first mentions fruit, a familiar pleasure that people also enjoy in earthly life. But the verse immediately widens the picture: the blessings of Paradise extend far beyond this one example.
The phrase “they will have whatever they desire” means that what they wish and long for will be available to them. The Arabic verb yaddaʿūn here conveys wishing or desiring; it does not mean making a claim in the ordinary modern sense of the word. Thus the verse moves from one recognisable blessing to the wider fulfilment of the desires of Paradise's inhabitants.
In this world, human wishes are limited by circumstances. People may long for something they cannot attain, or may lose it after finally obtaining it. Even enjoyable things may be accompanied by struggle or the fear of loss. In the Quran's depiction of Paradise, such limitations no longer overshadow their enjoyment.
Importantly, the verse leaves the range of blessings open. We cannot describe everything awaiting them by listing only the gifts familiar to us. Fruit is an accessible example, while “whatever they desire” opens a much wider horizon.
Divine reward is therefore more than release from pain and punishment. A life rich in blessings, contentment and fulfilled wishes is also part of the good end promised to the people of Paradise.