Question No. 2888 31 August 2022 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified Content level: Intermediate

In these verses, does “earth” mean Paradise or the earth over which a global government will rule?

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-2888

With reference to verse 74 of al-Zumar:

وقالوا الحمد لله الذی صدقنا وعده وأورثنا الأرض نتبوأ من الجنه حیث نشاء فنعم أجر العاملین [74] They will say, “Praise be to God, who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us inherit the land, so that we may settle wherever we wish in Paradise. How excellent is the reward of those who labour!” [74]

The verse speaks of the earth and then of Paradise, which seems to suggest that the earth in question is the earth of Paradise. On the other hand, other verses—for example, verse 5 of al-Qasas—say that the oppressed will be made heirs of the earth.

In general, does “earth” in verses of this kind mean Paradise? Some of these verses are understood as referring to the global government of the Imams and Imam al-Mahdi, who will rule over the earth in this world and inherit it. But if “earth” refers only to Paradise, we cannot derive from them the idea that God’s saints will establish a global government in this world. Could you please clarify?

Subject category: Quran and Exegesis Mahdism قرآن و اندیشه

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

In the noble verse «وأورثنا الأرض نتبوأ من الجنه حیث نشاء» (al-Zumar, 74), “earth” refers to Paradise, since Paradise too has its own earth and heavens. Nevertheless, the earth of this world also belongs to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), and the oppressed will inherit it.

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

By “earth” in this blessed verse, what is meant is the earth of Paradise. Paradise, in fact, will have its own earth, sky and sun.

In a narration from Abū al-Jārūd, Abū Jaʿfar (peace be upon him) explains the words, “Praise be to God, who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us heirs to the earth, settling wherever we wish in Paradise,” as meaning the earth of Paradise.

Tafsīr al-Qummī, vol. 2, p. 254

Of course, we know that the earth of this world is among the possessions of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them):

Abū Jaʿfar (peace be upon him) said: “We found in the Book of ʿAlī (peace be upon him): ‘The earth belongs to God; He grants it as an inheritance to whichever of His servants He wills, and the final outcome belongs to the Godwary.’ I and my family are those to whom He has granted the earth as an inheritance, and we are the Godwary. The entire earth belongs to us…”

Al-Kāfī (Islamic edition), vol. 5, p. 279

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In these verses, does “earth” mean Paradise or the earth over which a global government will rule?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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