Surah Al-Hadid (57) — Ayah 21

(Ayah 21) ➊ {سَابِقُوْۤا اِلٰى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ: ’’ سَابِقُوْۤا ‘‘ ’’سَبَقَ يَسْبِقُ سَبْقًا‘‘} (ض،ن) is the imperative form of the verb from the Mufa‘alah pattern. It contains the meaning of competition, that is, hasten towards such deeds in competition with one another by which you may become deserving of forgiveness and Paradise. For example, being in the first row on the battlefield, joining the opening Takbir with the Imam, and spending more than others in the way of Allah, etc. This verse is similar to verse (133) of Surah Al-Imran; also refer to its explanation.

➋ The word { وَ جَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَآءِ وَ الْاَرْضِ: ’’ السَّمَآءِ ‘‘} is used here as a generic term, meaning all the heavens. The evidence for this is this verse from Surah Al-Imran: « وَ سَارِعُوْۤا اِلٰى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَ جَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمٰوٰتُ وَ الْاَرْضُ » [آل عمران : ۱۳۳] “And race with one another towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth.”

➌ In { اُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَ رُسُلِهٖ:} it is only mentioned that Paradise has been prepared for the believers, whereas in Surah Al-Imran (133 to 135) some of the deeds of those believers are also mentioned due to which they become deserving of Allah’s grace. The first of these deeds is spending in ease and hardship, which has already been mentioned here in {’’ اَنْفَقُوْا ‘‘}.

➍ { ذٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللّٰهِ يُؤْتِيْهِ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ …:} From this it is understood that entry into Paradise will be solely by Allah’s grace, because nothing is obligatory upon Allah, and no matter how many deeds a person performs, they cannot compensate for even a single blessing granted by Allah in this world. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: [ لَنْ يُّدْخِلَ أَحَدًا عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ، قَالُوْا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ !؟ قَالَ لاَ، وَلاَ أَنَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَّتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللّٰهُ بِفَضْلٍ وَ رَحْمَةٍ ] [ بخاري، المرضٰی، باب تمنی المریض الموت : ۵۶۷۳] “No one’s deeds will ever admit him to Paradise.” The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Not even you?” He said, “No, not even me, unless Allah covers me with His grace and mercy.” However, righteous deeds become a means of attaining Allah’s grace and mercy; see the explanation of Surah Al-A‘raf (43).

21-1 That is, towards righteous deeds and sincere repentance, because these are the means to the forgiveness of the Lord.
21-2 And if its width is so much, then how great will its length be? Because length is always greater than width.
21-3 It is obvious that this desire is only for the one who, after repenting from disbelief and disobedience, adopts a life of faith and righteous deeds. That is why He also bestows such people with the enablement for sound faith.
21-4 He bestows His grace upon whom He wills; whatever He gives to someone, no one can withhold, and whatever He withholds from someone, no one can give. All goodness is in His hands.

21. Race with one another towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the width of the heaven and the earth [36], prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. That is the bounty of Allah; He gives it to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty [37].

[36]
The Vastness of Paradise:

Here it is stated that the width of Paradise is equal to the width of the heaven and the earth, and in Surah Al-Imran, verse 133, it is stated that the width of Paradise is equal to the width of all the heavens and the earth. Whereas, even the distance from one heaven to another is millions of miles. This makes it clear that the purpose here is not to specify the area of Paradise, but rather these words are used figuratively, and the intention is only to give an idea of the vastness of Paradise. That is, you can see the earth and the heavens, but Paradise will be much greater than all these heavens and the earth. Therefore, instead of striving for the world, you should strive to attain it. And if you sincerely obey Allah and His Messenger, Allah will forgive your sins and mistakes and will grant you such a vast and immense Paradise. As for the question of whether the vastness of Paradise mentioned here will be the right of all the people of Paradise, or whether each person of Paradise will receive such a vast Paradise, it is known from investigation that each person of Paradise will have a specific residence, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw the palace of Sayyiduna Umar ؓ in Paradise on the night of Mi'raj. However, in terms of sightseeing and recreation, every person of Paradise will be able to go wherever he wishes in such a vast Paradise. And in this coming and going, he will face no difficulty, nor will he need vehicles or airplanes.

[37]
Paradise Will Be Attained Only by Allah’s Mercy:

This subject has already been mentioned at several places before, that Paradise will not be given to anyone as a reward for his deeds, but only by the grace and mercy of Allah. The most that can be the reward for righteous deeds is that one is saved from the punishment of Hell, and even this is not a small matter, but a great success. Thus, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say that no one's deeds can take him to Paradise." The Companions رضی اللہ عنہم asked, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Will your deeds not take you to Paradise either?" He replied, "Yes, my deeds will not take me to Paradise either, unless Allah covers me with His grace and His mercy." [بخاری۔ کتاب المرضیٰ۔ باب تمنی المریض الموت]