Quranic verse, translation and commentary at iSerat
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Surah Ya-Sin — Verse 58
سَلَامٌ قَوْلًا مِنْ رَبٍّ رَحِيمٍ
Peace—a word from a Merciful Lord
After describing the blessings of Paradise, the Quran speaks of a gift with a special place among them all: a greeting of peace from the Merciful Lord Himself. The preceding verses told of joy, repose, companionship and fulfilled wishes. Now the very source of those blessings honours the people of Paradise with His peace and mercy.
The word salām carries meanings of peace, well-being and safety from harm. Among people, a greeting of peace expresses respect, goodwill and a wish for another person's safety. But when it comes from God, it has a deeper significance, for He is the true giver of safety and peace.
The words “a word from a Merciful Lord” attribute this greeting to God Himself. Elsewhere, the Quran also describes angels greeting the people of Paradiseجَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ ۖ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍThey will enter gardens of lasting residence, along with those of their parents, spouses and descendants who have lived righteously. Angels will enter to greet them from every gate.سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ ۚ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ'Peace be upon you for your patience. How excellent is the final home!'; here, however, the apparent meaning is a greeting from the Lord. The verse does not describe how this divine address occurs, and we should not imagine without evidence that God's speech has the same physical manner as human speech.
The name “a Merciful Lord” is also meaningful. God is not merely a sovereign who rewards His servants; He is the Lord who nurtures them, calls them towards guidance and now honours them with His mercy. The blessings of Paradise thus express not only His power but also His compassion.
In this scene, the people of Paradise receive more than abundant gifts: they are honoured by their Lord's greeting of peace. It is a blessing beyond material pleasure, bringing peace through divine mercy and the honour of being welcomed before God.
The description of Paradise, beginning with joy and comfort, thus reaches its height in the greeting of the Merciful Lord. In the next verse, the scene changes as the wrongdoers are summoned to separate from the people of Paradise. The contrast reveals the different outcomes of human life when divine justice is established.
After describing the blessings of Paradise, the Quran speaks of a gift with a special place among them all: a greeting of peace from the Merciful Lord Himself. The preceding verses told of joy, repose, companionship and fulfilled wishes. Now the very source of those blessings honours the people of Paradise with His peace and mercy.
The word salām carries meanings of peace, well-being and safety from harm. Among people, a greeting of peace expresses respect, goodwill and a wish for another person's safety. But when it comes from God, it has a deeper significance, for He is the true giver of safety and peace.
The words “a word from a Merciful Lord” attribute this greeting to God Himself. Elsewhere, the Quran also describes angels greeting the people of Paradise جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ ۖ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍThey will enter gardens of lasting residence, along with those of their parents, spouses and descendants who have lived righteously. Angels will enter to greet them from every gate.سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ ۚ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ'Peace be upon you for your patience. How excellent is the final home!'; here, however, the apparent meaning is a greeting from the Lord. The verse does not describe how this divine address occurs, and we should not imagine without evidence that God's speech has the same physical manner as human speech.
The name “a Merciful Lord” is also meaningful. God is not merely a sovereign who rewards His servants; He is the Lord who nurtures them, calls them towards guidance and now honours them with His mercy. The blessings of Paradise thus express not only His power but also His compassion.
In this scene, the people of Paradise receive more than abundant gifts: they are honoured by their Lord's greeting of peace. It is a blessing beyond material pleasure, bringing peace through divine mercy and the honour of being welcomed before God.
The description of Paradise, beginning with joy and comfort, thus reaches its height in the greeting of the Merciful Lord. In the next verse, the scene changes as the wrongdoers are summoned to separate from the people of Paradise. The contrast reveals the different outcomes of human life when divine justice is established.