ويطاف عليهم بانية من فضة واكواب كانت قواريرا

وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِـَٔانِيَةٍ مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ كَانَتْ قَوَارِيرَا۠

Today, my younger brother was coming home to pick up the food that his mother prepared, and then he went to his own (separate) house after stopping by to just get the food. He was driving from work, so he was a little tired and hungry.


My mother nicely put his food in a tray and in a plastic bag, and she placed it on a countertop in the kitchen, where he can see it easily. She was waiting for him just to see him before he leaves again, even though it was late in the night and she would have been asleep otherwise.


Then, since it is hot over here now, she took out a pitcher from the refrigerator and poured some cold water into his glass from there. And she placed the glass near the kitchen sink, where it is more visible, so that he can quickly drink it and head out again.


The scene of my mother placing the glass of water and making everything else ready for him - out of her love and care for him as a mother - reminded me of the scenes in the Quran about the inhabitants of Paradise, i.e. what Allah does for them for their ease and comfort. Allah says in Surah Al-Ghaashiyah:


فِيهَا عَيْنٌ جَارِيَةٌ ٭ فِيهَا سُرُرٌ مَّرْفُوعَةٌ ٭ وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ


'In it will be a running spring, along with thrones raised high, and cups set at hand.' (88:12-14)


As Ibn Kathir explains in his tafseer, 'The word akwab is the plural of kub and it refers to a 'goblet,' a 'glass' or a cup for drinking water. It has been qualified by the adjective maudu'ah and it means 'well placed.' This signifies that the glasses or cups or containers will be set in their due places close to water,' and Allah SWT 'arranged the goblets near the water for the comfort of the inmates of Paradise.'


May Allah make us among those inhabitants of Paradise. Ameen.


#TheCups

Imagine someone pouring your favorite beverage for you. Now imagine them filling it to the brim, leaving no space to move the cup without spilling some on the table or on your hands. It takes a teeny-tiny bit of joy away from the whole experience, doesn't it? I love this detail that is given to us in ayah 16: 

'Filled precisely as desired'

What a Compassionate Lord we worship, and what a perfect Paradise He has created for His servants. Whenever you pour a beverage, think about this ayah and reflect upon your Lord who shared this detail for us to reflect upon. 

Alhamdullilah, every poured beverage can remind us to strive for, reflect upon, and ask for His Paradise!

JazakAllah Khayr for sharing this reflection. I never had the opportunity to think about this ayaah the way you described here. It's so beautiful Alhamdulillah. Allah cares for us this much! All praises be to Him. Jannah is an annoyance free place 🤍