Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَاfalāAnd not
تَعْلَمُtaʿlamuknows
نَفْسٌۭnafsuna soul
مَّآmāwhat
أُخْفِىَukh'fiyais hidden
لَهُمlahumfor them
مِّنminof
قُرَّةِqurrati(the) comfort
أَعْيُنٍۢaʿyunin(for) the eyes
جَزَآءًۢjazāan(as) a reward
بِمَاbimāfor what
كَانُوا۟kānūthey used (to)
يَعْمَلُونَyaʿmalūnado
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 17) {فَلَاتَعْلَمُنَفْسٌمَّاۤاُخْفِيَلَهُمْمِّنْقُرَّةِاَعْيُنٍ … :} The word {’’ نَفْسٌ ‘‘} is indefinite, which gives a sense of generality, meaning no soul knows, whether it is a human, jinn, or angel, then whether it is a close angel or a sent prophet, in short, no one except Allah knows those blessings which He has kept hidden for the mentioned believers, with which their eyes will be cooled, as a reward for those deeds which they used to do. It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ قَالَاللّٰهُتَبَارَكَوَتَعَالٰیأَعْدَدْتُلِعِبَادِيَالصَّالِحِيْنَمَالَاعَيْنٌرَأَتْ،وَلَاأُذُنٌسَمِعَتْ،وَلَاخَطَرَعَلٰیقَلْبِبَشَرٍ،قَالَأَبُوْهُرَيْرَةَاقْرَؤُوْاإِنْشِئْتُمْ : «{ فَلَاتَعْلَمُنَفْسٌمَّاۤاُخْفِيَلَهُمْمِّنْقُرَّةِاَعْيُنٍ }» ][ بخاري، التفسیر، باب قولہ : «فلا تعلم نفس ما أخفي… » : ۴۷۷۹۔ مسلم : ۲۸۲۴ ] "Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says: I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never occurred to the heart of any human." Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, if you wish, recite the saying of Allah: «{ فَلَاتَعْلَمُنَفْسٌمَّاۤاُخْفِيَلَهُمْمِّنْقُرَّةِاَعْيُنٍ }»[ السجدۃ : ۱۷ ] At this place, Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned several ahadith regarding the blessings of Paradise.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
17-1. Nafs is a common noun which gives a sense of generality, meaning that no one except Allah knows the blessings which He has kept hidden for the mentioned believers, by which their eyes will be cooled. In its explanation, the Prophet ﷺ narrated this Hadith Qudsi that Allah Almighty says: I have prepared for My righteous servants such things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever occurred to the imagination of any human.
17-2. From this it is understood that in order to become deserving of Allah's mercy, it is necessary to be diligent in performing righteous deeds.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
17. No soul knows what delights of the eyes are kept hidden [20] for them as a reward for what they used to do.
[20] The Attributes of the Blessings of Paradise:
Such people who, in the darkness of the night, hiding from others, avoiding showing off, remember Allah and spend in His way—their reward will also be things that Allah has kept hidden for them. What will those blessings be? They will be the coolness of the hearts and eyes of such people. By describing their attributes, a person cannot even comprehend them in this world. Just as if someone has never eaten a mango, no matter how much its taste is described in detail, it can never be like the feeling or knowledge one gets after actually eating a mango. And as for the blessings of Paradise, the situation is such that no one has ever seen them, nor heard them, nor tasted them, to the extent that no one has even imagined them in their heart, as is made clear by the following hadith: Hazrat Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says: I have prepared for My (righteous) servants such blessings which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no heart has ever conceived." Hazrat Abu Hurairah ؓ said, "If you wish, you may (as proof) recite this verse: ﴿فَلَاتَعْلَمُنَفْسٌمَّاأُخْفِيَ... الآية﴾[بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]"