Surah Al-Insaan (76) — Ayah 17

(Ayah 18,17) {وَ يُسْقَوْنَ فِيْهَا كَاْسًا … : ’’ كَاْسًا ‘‘} The cup in which there is wine, an empty cup is not called "kaas." {’’مِزَاجٌ‘‘} Mixture, blending, that is, something which is added to increase taste or fragrance. {’’ زَنْجَبِيْلًا ‘‘} Ginger, dried ginger. {’’ سَلْسَبِيْلًا ‘‘} has three meanings: (1) That which easily passes down the throat. (2) That which flows swiftly. (3) That which is easily subjugated, so that it can be taken wherever one wishes. The Arabs used to mix dried ginger in wine to enhance its taste, heat, bitterness, and fragrance. Allah Almighty said that the cup of wine which will be given to the people of Paradise will have a mixture of ginger. Thus, in Paradise, there will be one kind of wine which will be cool, mixed with camphor, and another which will be warm, mixed with ginger. It should be clear that when mentioning the blessings of Paradise, the things of this world that are mentioned are not meant to be exactly the same, but rather things of an immeasurably higher quality are intended. See the commentary of Surah Sajdah (17). The author of Ahsan al-Tafasir writes: "Although the names of the things to eat, drink, wear, and use in Paradise are similar to those of worldly things, there is a great difference between the things of Paradise and those of the world. For example, where in the world is there such milk whose river always flows and which does not turn sour the next day? Where is there such honey whose river flows and in which bees do not die after buzzing around, and dust and rubbish do not fall on it from the air? And where is there such wine whose river flows and the path around it does not get blocked in a few days due to its stench?" (Ahsan al-Tafasir)
{’’ عَيْنًا ‘‘ ’’ كَاْسًا ‘‘} is a substitute or accusative due to the omission of the preposition, that is, {’’يُسْقَوْنَ كَأْسًا مِّنْ عَيْنٍ۔‘‘} meaning that they will be given that cup of wine in which there will be a mixture of ginger, from such a spring whose name is Salsabeel. The reason for this name is that its water will be extremely pleasant, thin, and will easily pass down the throat, and the streams flowing from this spring will be very swift and extremely subservient to the believers, so that they will take them wherever they wish.

17. 1. Zanjabeel refers to (sonth, dried ginger). It is hot in nature and its mixture creates a pleasant bitterness. Besides, this is a favorite thing among the Arabs. Thus, zanjabeel is also included in their coffee. The meaning is that in Paradise there will be one drink that will be cool, in which camphor will be mixed, and another drink that will be hot, in which zanjabeel will be blended.

17. And they will be given cups of a drink mixed with ginger [20].

[20] Previously, the drink mixed with camphor was mentioned, which, in terms of its effect, is cool and refreshing. Now, the drink mixed with ginger or dried ginger is mentioned. Ginger has a warming effect. Considering the fondness of the Arabs, its mention has been made. This will be a natural spring, whose drink will have the fragrance of dried ginger, but not its bitterness.