Introduction
28 instances of thawaab meaning ‘reward’ and what are derived from the same root in 3 distinct grammatical forms are shown in the table below while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context, which is a key concept to understand the message coded in the Arabic text of the Quran:
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.com
Instance of thuwwiba
There is 1 instance of thuwwiba in the verb form II meaning ‘to reward’ in 1 verse in 1 sura is described below:
[83:36] Has not been rewarded the disbelievers for what they have done to accomplish (hal thuwwiba al-kufaaru maa kaanuu yaf’`aluuna)?
Instances of athaaba
There are 3 instances of athaaba in the verb form IV meaning ‘to reward’ in 3 verses across 3 suras are described below:
[3:153] When you were moving forward and were not casting a glance on anyone, while the messenger was calling you from behind you. So He has rewarded you distress over distress (fa-athaabakum ghamman bi-ghamman) that you do not grieve over what has escaped you, nor has what befallen you, and God is Cognizant of what you do.
[5:85] So God has rewarded them for what they have said (fa-athaabahumu allahu bimaa qaaluu), into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath, are abiding therein. And that is a reward of the good doers.
[48:18] Certainly, God has been pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree. So, He knew what was in their hearts, so He has sent down tranquility upon them, and has rewarded them a near victory (wa-athaabahum fathan qareeban).
Instances of thawaab
There are 13 instances of thawaab in the noun form meaning ‘reward’ in 9 verses across 4 suras are described below:
[3:145] And it has not been for any person (soul) that he dies except by God’s permission, is a determined decree. And whoever desires a reward of the world (wa-man yurid thawaaba al-dun’yaa), we give him from it, and whoever desires a reward of the Hereafter (wa-man yurid thawaaba al-aakhirati), we give him from it. And we will reward the grateful ones.
[3:148] So, God has given them reward in the world and a better reward in the Hereafter (fa-aatahumu thawaaba al-dun’yaa wa-hus’na thawaaba al-aakhirati); and God loves the good doers.
[3:195] Then has responded to them of their Lord: “Indeed, I will not let go waste deed of the doer from a male or a female – one of you for another. So, those who have emigrated and have been driven out from their homes, and have been harmed in My path, and have fought and have been killed; surely, I will remove their evil deeds from them and surely, I will admit them to gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath, a reward on behalf of God (thawaaban min `indi allahi); and God, with Him is the best reward (wa-allahu `indahu hus’nu al-thawaabi).”
[4:134] Whoever has done desiring reward of the world (man kaana yureedu thawaaba al-dun’yaa), while with God is the reward of the world and of the Hereafter (fa-`inda allahi thawaabu al-dun’yaa wal-aakhirati). And God has been Hearer, Seer.
[18:31] Those – for them are gardens of Eden flowing the rivers of their underneath. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and will wear garments, are green of fine silk and velvet, reclining therein on adorned couches. It has been excellent the reward and has been best the resting place (ni`ma al-thawaabu wa-hasunat mur’tafaqan).
[18:44] Hence, the protection belongs to God, the True. He has best reward and best end result (huwa khayrun thawaaban wa-khayrun uq’ban).
[18:46] The wealth and the children are adornment of the life of the world, while the enduring righteous deeds are better for reward with your Lord and are better for hope (wal-baaqiyaatu al-saalihaatu khayrun `inda rabbika thawaaban wa-khayrun amalan).
[19:76] And God increases guidance of those who have accepted guidance, while the enduring righteous deeds are better for reward with your Lord and are better for return (wal-baaqiyaatu al-saalihaatu khayrun `inda rabbika thawaaban wa-khayrun maraddan).
[28:80] And said those who have been given the knowledge: “Woe to you! God’s reward is far better for whoever has believed and has done as righteous (thawaabu allahi khayrun liman aamana wa-`amila saalihan). And none is granted it except the patient ones.”
Instances of thiyaab
There are 8 instances of thiyaab in the noun form meaning ‘garments’ in 8 verses across 7 suras are described below:
[11:5] Undoubtedly, they fold up their breasts that they may conceal from Him. Undoubtedly, when they cover with their garments (alaa heena yastaghshuuna thiyaabahum), He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Indeed, He is Knower of what is in the breasts.
[18:31] Those – for them are gardens of Eden flowing the rivers of their underneath. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and will wear garments, are green of fine silk and velvet (wa-yalbasuuna thiyaaban khud’ran min sundusin wa-is’tabraqin), reclining therein on adorned couches. It has been excellent the reward and has been best the resting place.
[22:19] Here two parties have disputed regarding their Lord. So those who have disbelieved, has been cut out for them garments of fire (fa-alladheena kafaruu qutti`at lahum thiyaaban min naarin). The boiling water is poured over their heads.
[24:58] O you who have believed that he should ask you permission of those whom has been rightfully yours (attendants) and those who do not reach the puberty among you at three times: before the dawn prayer, and when you have your garments during the rest time (wa-heena tada`uuna thiyaabakum mina al-zaheerati), and after the night prayer, are three private times for you. It has not been for you nor for them any blame after that mingling among you – yourselves with others. Thus that God makes clear the revelations for you, and God is Knower, Wise.
[24:60] And those ending the menstrual cycles of the women who do not have desire for marriage, then it has not been for them any blame that they have their garments without displaying of their body (an yada`na thiyaabahunna ghayra mutabarrijaatin bizeenatin), and that they maintain modesty is better for them. And God is Hearer, Knower.
[71:7] “And indeed me (Noah), every time I have called on them that You may forgive them, they have put their fingers in their ears and have covered them their garments (wa-is’tagh’shaw thiyaabahum) and have insisted, and have become arrogant.”
[74:4] And your garments that you shall purify (wa-thiyaabaka fa-tahhir).
[76:21] Upon themselves of garments are green of fine silk and velvet (`aaliyahum thiyaabu sundusin khud’run wa-is’tabraqun), and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.
Instance of mathaabat
There is 1 instance of mathaabat in the noun form meaning ‘a place of meeting’ in 1 verse in 1 sura is described below:
[2:125] And when we have made the House a place of meeting for the people and security (wa-idh ja`alnaa al-bayta mathaabatan lil’nnaasi wa-amnan), “You shall take of Abraham’s station as a prayer house, while we have taken a promise of Abraham and Ismael that you shall purify My house for those who go around, and those who seclude themselves, and those who bow, and those who prostrate.”
Instances of mathuubat
There are 2 instances of mathuubat in the verbal noun form meaning ‘recompense’ in 2 verses in 2 suras are described below:
[2:103] And if that they had believed and feared, certainly, a recompense with God would have been better (lamathuubatun min `indi allahi khayrun) if they had done to know.
[5:60] Say: “Shall I inform you of worse than that a recompense from God (hal unaabbi-u-kum bisharrin min dhaalika mathuubatun `inda allahi)? Whomever God has cursed while He has become angry with him and has made of them the apes and the pigs, and he has worshipped the false deities. Those are in worse place and are far astray from the straight path.”
Summary
28 instances of thawaab meaning ‘reward’ and what are derived from the same root in 3 distinct grammatical forms are shown in the table below while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context, which is a key concept to understand the message coded in the Arabic text of the Quran:
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.comInstance of thuwwiba
There is 1 instance of thuwwiba in the verb form II meaning ‘to reward’ in 1 verse in 1 sura is described below:
[83:36] Has not been rewarded the disbelievers for what they have done to accomplish (hal thuwwiba al-kufaaru maa kaanuu yaf’`aluuna)?
Instances of athaaba
There are 3 instances of athaaba in the verb form IV meaning ‘to reward’ in 3 verses across 3 suras are described below:
[3:153] When you were moving forward and were not casting a glance on anyone, while the messenger was calling you from behind you. So He has rewarded you distress over distress (fa-athaabakum ghamman bi-ghamman) that you do not grieve over what has escaped you, nor has what befallen you, and God is Cognizant of what you do.
[5:85] So God has rewarded them for what they have said (fa-athaabahumu allahu bimaa qaaluu), into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath, are abiding therein. And that is a reward of the good doers.
[48:18] Certainly, God has been pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree. So, He knew what was in their hearts, so He has sent down tranquility upon them, and has rewarded them a near victory (wa-athaabahum fathan qareeban).
Instances of thawaab
There are 13 instances of thawaab in the noun form meaning ‘reward’ in 9 verses across 4 suras are described below:
[3:145] And it has not been for any person (soul) that he dies except by God’s permission, is a determined decree. And whoever desires a reward of the world (wa-man yurid thawaaba al-dun’yaa), we give him from it, and whoever desires a reward of the Hereafter (wa-man yurid thawaaba al-aakhirati), we give him from it. And we will reward the grateful ones.
[3:148] So, God has given them reward in the world and a better reward in the Hereafter (fa-aatahumu thawaaba al-dun’yaa wa-hus’na thawaaba al-aakhirati); and God loves the good doers.
[3:195] Then has responded to them of their Lord: “Indeed, I will not let go waste deed of the doer from a male or a female – one of you for another. So, those who have emigrated and have been driven out from their homes, and have been harmed in My path, and have fought and have been killed; surely, I will remove their evil deeds from them and surely, I will admit them to gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath, a reward on behalf of God (thawaaban min `indi allahi); and God, with Him is the best reward (wa-allahu `indahu hus’nu al-thawaabi).”
[4:134] Whoever has done desiring reward of the world (man kaana yureedu thawaaba al-dun’yaa), while with God is the reward of the world and of the Hereafter (fa-`inda allahi thawaabu al-dun’yaa wal-aakhirati). And God has been Hearer, Seer.
[18:31] Those – for them are gardens of Eden flowing the rivers of their underneath. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and will wear garments, are green of fine silk and velvet, reclining therein on adorned couches. It has been excellent the reward and has been best the resting place (ni`ma al-thawaabu wa-hasunat mur’tafaqan).
[18:44] Hence, the protection belongs to God, the True. He has best reward and best end result (huwa khayrun thawaaban wa-khayrun uq’ban).
[18:46] The wealth and the children are adornment of the life of the world, while the enduring righteous deeds are better for reward with your Lord and are better for hope (wal-baaqiyaatu al-saalihaatu khayrun `inda rabbika thawaaban wa-khayrun amalan).
[19:76] And God increases guidance of those who have accepted guidance, while the enduring righteous deeds are better for reward with your Lord and are better for return (wal-baaqiyaatu al-saalihaatu khayrun `inda rabbika thawaaban wa-khayrun maraddan).
[28:80] And said those who have been given the knowledge: “Woe to you! God’s reward is far better for whoever has believed and has done as righteous (thawaabu allahi khayrun liman aamana wa-`amila saalihan). And none is granted it except the patient ones.”
Instances of thiyaab
There are 8 instances of thiyaab in the noun form meaning ‘garments’ in 8 verses across 7 suras are described below:
[11:5] Undoubtedly, they fold up their breasts that they may conceal from Him. Undoubtedly, when they cover with their garments (alaa heena yastaghshuuna thiyaabahum), He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Indeed, He is Knower of what is in the breasts.
[18:31] Those – for them are gardens of Eden flowing the rivers of their underneath. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and will wear garments, are green of fine silk and velvet (wa-yalbasuuna thiyaaban khud’ran min sundusin wa-is’tabraqin), reclining therein on adorned couches. It has been excellent the reward and has been best the resting place.
[22:19] Here two parties have disputed regarding their Lord. So those who have disbelieved, has been cut out for them garments of fire (fa-alladheena kafaruu qutti`at lahum thiyaaban min naarin). The boiling water is poured over their heads.
[24:58] O you who have believed that he should ask you permission of those whom has been rightfully yours (attendants) and those who do not reach the puberty among you at three times: before the dawn prayer, and when you have your garments during the rest time (wa-heena tada`uuna thiyaabakum mina al-zaheerati), and after the night prayer, are three private times for you. It has not been for you nor for them any blame after that mingling among you – yourselves with others. Thus that God makes clear the revelations for you, and God is Knower, Wise.
[24:60] And those ending the menstrual cycles of the women who do not have desire for marriage, then it has not been for them any blame that they have their garments without displaying of their body (an yada`na thiyaabahunna ghayra mutabarrijaatin bizeenatin), and that they maintain modesty is better for them. And God is Hearer, Knower.
[71:7] “And indeed me (Noah), every time I have called on them that You may forgive them, they have put their fingers in their ears and have covered them their garments (wa-is’tagh’shaw thiyaabahum) and have insisted, and have become arrogant.”
[74:4] And your garments that you shall purify (wa-thiyaabaka fa-tahhir).
[76:21] Upon themselves of garments are green of fine silk and velvet (`aaliyahum thiyaabu sundusin khud’run wa-is’tabraqun), and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.
Instance of mathaabat
There is 1 instance of mathaabat in the noun form meaning ‘a place of meeting’ in 1 verse in 1 sura is described below:
[2:125] And when we have made the House a place of meeting for the people and security (wa-idh ja`alnaa al-bayta mathaabatan lil’nnaasi wa-amnan), “You shall take of Abraham’s station as a prayer house, while we have taken a promise of Abraham and Ismael that you shall purify My house for those who go around, and those who seclude themselves, and those who bow, and those who prostrate.”
Instances of mathuubat
There are 2 instances of mathuubat in the verbal noun form meaning ‘recompense’ in 2 verses in 2 suras are described below:
[2:103] And if that they had believed and feared, certainly, a recompense with God would have been better (lamathuubatun min `indi allahi khayrun) if they had done to know.
[5:60] Say: “Shall I inform you of worse than that a recompense from God (hal unaabbi-u-kum bisharrin min dhaalika mathuubatun `inda allahi)? Whomever God has cursed while He has become angry with him and has made of them the apes and the pigs, and he has worshipped the false deities. Those are in worse place and are far astray from the straight path.”
Summary
- Whatever may the disbelievers think but God has surely, rewarded them for what they have done.
- He has rewarded distress over distress for what has escaped them or what has befallen them.
- He has rewarded the good-doers gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath abiding forever.
- He has been pleased with the believers and sent down tranquility upon them and has rewarded them a near victory.
- He has promised a best reward for those who have been harmed in His cause as well as have been killed in the battles.
- Whoever has done desiring reward of the world but with Him is reward of the world and Hereafter.
- The dwellers of gardens will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and velvet, reclining therein on adorned couches.
- Protection of the believers belongs to God and has the best reward and best end result for them.
- Whoever has accepted His guidance He increases guidance for better reward and return at Him.
- Wealth and children are adornment of the world but righteous deeds are better for reward with Him.
- His reward is far better for whoever has believed and has done as righteous being the patient ones./li>
- He knows what they conceal and what they reveal even when they cover with their garments.
- The disbelievers will wear garments of fire and the boiling water will be pouring on their heads.
- Permission must be taken of the women at three instances: before the dawn prayer, after the night prayer and during their private time by their attendants and children who have not reached puberty.
- There is no sin for the elderly women when they wear garments without displaying their adornment.
- The disbelievers put fingers in their ears and cover with garments not to hear call of the messenger.
- The hidden one is to appear for purifying his garments are the Quran, and our beliefs and practices.
- The House (Ka’ba) is a meeting place for the people that they can purify them when they visit it.
- He has cursed the disbelievers to be in worse place as recompense being the worshipers of the false deities.
From review we learn that God rewards us in the world as well as in the Hereafter but He wants us to do righteous deeds desiring far better reward in the Hereafter while in the instances of thawaab and its related forms there are also indication of their symbolic usages, and purifying our garments being the Quran along with our beliefs and practices should not escape our attention to inquire into the truth.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (8/28/2020).