This is what was provided for us previously
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I came accross this verse (225) in my initial exploration of Quran.
My understanding from the verse Every time believers will be given fruit in paradise, they will say "this was given us aforetime".
All fruits (of a kind) will be the same. This means superb quality control will be in effect.
However since I am from a programming background, my question is
They can only say "this was given to us aforetime" second time and onwards. They cannot say this the first time around they are given this fruit, because they would have no prior experience to relate to.
Am I being too meticulos? God's book has to be logically correct.
Should I not take this sentense too literally as this is how things are said in Arabic?Note My objective here is not to raise unnecessary arguments against the book. Purpose of my postings is solely to seek help.
002.025
Wabashshiri allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati anna lahum jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu kullama ruziqoo minha min thamaratin rizqan qaloo hatha allathee ruziqna min qablu waotoo bihi mutashabihan walahum feeha azwajun mutahharatun wahum feeha khalidoona
YUSUFALI But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).
PICKTHAL And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say this is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide.
SHAKIR And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide.
KHALIFA Give good news to those who believe and lead a righteous life that they will have gardens with flowing streams. When provided with a provision of fruits therein, they will say, "This is what was provided for us previously." Thus, they are given allegorical descriptions. They will have pure spouses therein, and they abide therein forever. -
Peace explorer,
225 But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).
Here's how I see it
Before the believers entered Paradise, they ate fruit here on Earth.
Upon entering Paradise, they are fed fruit from the "Gardens, beneath which rivers flow".
This fruit is similar/same as what they had on Earth, thus they state "Why, this is what we were fed with before."I believe the point of the ayah is to illustrate that the "Gardens" will be similar in many respects to what we enjoy here on Earth.
Peace,
Tay -
Thanks Tay and TheNabi.
Tay, yes that is the only way of explaining this. They would be refering to their worldly experience. "This is the same fruit that we had before".
TheNabi, as I undertand you are suggesting that God is talking about the fruits of their actions, not the actual edible fruits. In that case we would fall into same trap of logical contradiction.
Each time they are given the fruit they would say "this is a similar fruit that was given to us previosly". They can only say this second time and onwards, not the first time; as they would not have any previous experience to refer to.
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it's the "fruit" they were provided with prior to expulsion (when adam et all got kicked out)
those who work right and do good return and are provided with those "fruits" which they had previously enjoyed prior to expulsion, as a reward for their loyalty
it's a metaphor, like when someone reaps the fruits of their labours... or when parents refer to their children as the fruit of their loins
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I too think it is metaphorical... Why beneath? There must be a reason. I'd rather translate it as Hidden gardens (jannaatin), eminating (tajree) from what they were founded one (min tahtiha)... and then al-anhaar can also be taken in terms of a continuum Of good deeds? Again, fruit of their labour... hence familiar.