Surah As-Saffat — Verse 47

Word Meanings:

• Ghawl (غَوْل): Harm, sickness, or any effect that destroys or corrupts — whether physical or mental. It is derived from the root meaning "to destroy" or "to cause ruin."
• Yunzafūn (يُنزَفُونَ): From *nazafa*, meaning to have one's mind taken away or depleted due to intoxication. It refers to the loss of reason or the onset of headaches and dizziness caused by drinking.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse continues the description of the pure wine (sharāb) that Allah will give to the righteous in Paradise. It clarifies two essential qualities that distinguish this heavenly drink from the wines of this world:

First: "There is no harm in it" — This wine is completely free from any evil effect. It does not cause physical pain, stomach aches, headaches, or any form of sickness. Unlike worldly wine, which often leads to illness and bodily harm, the wine of Paradise is pure and wholesome. It contains no poison, no intoxicating corruption, and no hidden damage to one's health.

Second: "Nor will they be intoxicated by it" — Their minds will remain fully intact and clear. They will not lose their senses, nor will they experience the dizziness, confusion, or mental impairment that accompanies worldly intoxication. The purpose of this drink is pure enjoyment and delight, not the clouding of the intellect. In fact, the people of Paradise will experience a joy that enhances their awareness rather than diminishing it.

This verse beautifully highlights the perfection of Paradise: every pleasure there is pure and untainted. Even the wine — which in this world is a source of harm, sin, and mental ruin — is transformed in Paradise into a source of pure bliss that brings no regret, no pain, and no loss of reason. The believer who abstains from intoxicants in this life, seeking Allah's pleasure, will be rewarded with a drink that gives all the joy without any of the consequences.

A Call to Reflection:

How generous is Allah to His believing servants! He forbids them in this world that which harms their bodies and minds, and in return, He grants them in the Hereafter a purified version of it — one that brings only delight and no harm. This is the nature of Allah's mercy: He does not deprive us of good, but rather protects us from evil and then rewards us with something far better. So let the believer remain patient in this short life, knowing that the eternal pleasure awaiting them is beyond imagination — pure, safe, and everlasting.