“They are the ones who will be rewarded for their patience: lofty palaces will be granted to them, and they will be received with greeting and salutation. Therein they shall abide for ever: how good an abode, and how good a resting place!”
(Al-Qur’ān – 25:75-76)
These ayaahs deal with the rewards of patience. The word ṣabr (patience, fortitude) in the Arabic text is used in its most comprehensive sense. Variously, it means to endure persecution at the hands of the enemies of Truth with courage and to bear whatever hardships come one’s way while striving for the establishment of the true Faith of God.
It also means to remain steadfast against all fears and to refuse to succumb to enticements; to resolutely fulfil one’s obligations in spite of Satan’s temptations and one’s own carnal self; to shun the unlawful and to remain within the bounds of the lawful set by God; to spurn all pleasures and benefits that might accrue from acts of sins, and to cheerfully put up with difficulties and losses in order to follow the Path of righteousness and virtue and to accept every trial and adversity that one might encounter.
In sum, this one word embraces a whole universe of meanings regarding true Faith, a truly religious approach to life, and good moral conduct inspired by religious Faith.
Ghufrah means a lofty building. It is generally translated as the ‘upper chamber’ which brings to mind a two-storey building. The loftiest buildings constructed here are mere caricatures of the palaces of Paradise.