Tafseer of The Inevitable · Al-Waaqia · 56:8
Then the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And His word: فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ ("The people of the right hand — what are the people of the right hand!"). This is an exposition by Allah concerning the three kinds. He, whose praise is exalted, says: And you were three kinds: the people of the right hand (aṣḥāb al-maymana), the people of the left hand (aṣḥāb al-mashʾama), and the foremost (al-sābiqūn). He made the report about them suffice in place of an exposition about them, in the manner that we have mentioned, because the word indicates its meaning. Thus He said: فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ , by which He instills in His prophet Muḥammad ﷺ wonder concerning them, and He said: مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ — those who are led to Paradise on the right side — what beings are the people of the right hand!
