39. Surah Az-Zumar

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لَكِنِ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ...

39:20. But it is for those who fear their Lord, that lofty mansions, one above another, have been built:

C4271. Cf. 29:58, and 34:37.

The idea of heaven here is that of a Home of sublimity and beauty, with a picturesque outlook, such as we would describe in this life by the type of a palace by gently-flowing streams. The mansions will also suggest generous space and architectural beauty, tiers upon tiers piled one upon another.

... تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ...

beneath them flow rivers (of delight):

... وَعْدَ اللَّهِ...

(such is) the promise of Allah:

... لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿٢٠﴾

never doth Allah fail in (His) promise.

C4272. Miad: the time, place, and manner of the fulfilment of a Promise.

Allah's promise will be fulfilled in all particulars better than we can possibly imagine.

Asad’s Version:

39:20

As against this, 25 they who of their Sustainer are conscious shall fin the life to come] have mansions raised upon mansions high, beneath which running waters flow: [this is] God's promise - [and] never does God fail to fulfil His promise