Overview (Verses 56 - 57)

Two Contrasting Destinies
 
At this point, the sūrah, which speaks of adherence to faith or lack of it among Abraham’s descendants, states the general rule of reward which applies to believers and unbelievers alike, in all religions and at all times. Here it is stated in the form of a scene from the Day of Judgement: “Those who disbelieve in Our revelations We shall, in time, cause them to endure fire: every time their skins are burnt off, We shall replace them with new skins, so that they may taste suffering [in full]. God is indeed Almighty, Wise. But those who believe and do righteous deeds We shall admit into gardens through which running waters flow, where they shall abide beyond the count of time. There they shall have pure spouses, and We shall admit them into a cool, dense shade.” (Verses 56-57)
 
“Every time their skins are burnt off, We shall replace them with new skins, so that they may taste suffering [in full].” It is a never- ending scene, placed before our own eyes, and repeated time after time. Our minds concentrate on it and we would not stare away. It is a fearful scene and what is fearful may attract and hold people’s eyes. When the scene is portrayed, its continuous repetition is expressed in two words: “Every time”. It is depicted as extremely fearful in half a sentence: “Every time their skins are burnt out...” It is amazing, supernatural. This effect is brought out in the second half of the same sentence: “We shall replace them with new skins”. Then the effects of fear are emphasised and perpetuated in the second part of the subjective sentence. It is a fitting recompense for disbelief, when all the reasons for believing in God have been provided. “So that they may taste suffering din full].” God is certainly able to punish them in this way, wise to choose it for them: “God is indeed Almighty, Wise.”
 
In opposition to this ever-burning fire, with ever-burning skins, we have a full picture of the perfect reward granted to those who believe in God and translate this belief into action. These are placed in “gardens through which running waters flow”. It is a reward given them forever, to emphasise the elements of settlement and continuity: “Where they shall abide beyond the count of time.” In addition, they have what re- emphasises all these elements and what imparts a feeling of total happiness in eternal bliss: “There they shall have pure spouses.” We also find a cool shade to add an air of ease and freshness to the scene of perfect bliss: “We shall admit them into a cool, dense shade.” (Verse 57)
 
Thus we have the perfect contrast of reward and punishment, provided by contrasting scenes and images. This is typical of the Qur’ānic method in its portrayal of highly effective and powerful scenes from the Day of Judgement.

Overview (Verses 56 - 57)

Two Contrasting Destinies
 
At this point, the sūrah, which speaks of adherence to faith or lack of it among Abraham’s descendants, states the general rule of reward which applies to believers and unbelievers alike, in all religions and at all times. Here it is stated in the form of a scene from the Day of Judgement: “Those who disbelieve in Our revelations We shall, in time, cause them to endure fire: every time their skins are burnt off, We shall replace them with new skins, so that they may taste suffering [in full]. God is indeed Almighty, Wise. But those who believe and do righteous deeds We shall admit into gardens through which running waters flow, where they shall abide beyond the count of time. There they shall have pure spouses, and We shall admit them into a cool, dense shade.” (Verses 56-57)
 
“Every time their skins are burnt off, We shall replace them with new skins, so that they may taste suffering [in full].” It is a never- ending scene, placed before our own eyes, and repeated time after time. Our minds concentrate on it and we would not stare away. It is a fearful scene and what is fearful may attract and hold people’s eyes. When the scene is portrayed, its continuous repetition is expressed in two words: “Every time”. It is depicted as extremely fearful in half a sentence: “Every time their skins are burnt out...” It is amazing, supernatural. This effect is brought out in the second half of the same sentence: “We shall replace them with new skins”. Then the effects of fear are emphasised and perpetuated in the second part of the subjective sentence. It is a fitting recompense for disbelief, when all the reasons for believing in God have been provided. “So that they may taste suffering din full].” God is certainly able to punish them in this way, wise to choose it for them: “God is indeed Almighty, Wise.”
 
In opposition to this ever-burning fire, with ever-burning skins, we have a full picture of the perfect reward granted to those who believe in God and translate this belief into action. These are placed in “gardens through which running waters flow”. It is a reward given them forever, to emphasise the elements of settlement and continuity: “Where they shall abide beyond the count of time.” In addition, they have what re- emphasises all these elements and what imparts a feeling of total happiness in eternal bliss: “There they shall have pure spouses.” We also find a cool shade to add an air of ease and freshness to the scene of perfect bliss: “We shall admit them into a cool, dense shade.” (Verse 57)
 
Thus we have the perfect contrast of reward and punishment, provided by contrasting scenes and images. This is typical of the Qur’ānic method in its portrayal of highly effective and powerful scenes from the Day of Judgement.