Al-Insān^{1In both the Fātiḥ MSS, this sūra bears the title ‘Hal atā’, which are the first words of the sūra’s first verse.}

His words, Exalted is He:

Truly the righteous will drink from a cup whose mixture is camphor.

He said:

[These are] the righteous (abrār), who took on one of the characteristics of the ten [Companions] concerning whom the Messenger of God ﷺ bore witness that they would go to Paradise.^{1There are various ḥadīṭhs listing the ten named by the Prophet as being destined for Paradise. For example, in the Sunan of Abū Dāwūd, ‘Bāb al-Sunna’, they are listed as: the Prophet, Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, Ṭalḥa b. ʿUbayd Allāh, Zubayr b. al-ʿAwwām, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān b. ʿAwf, Saʿd b. Abī Waqqāṣ and Saʿīd b. Zayd. Other traditions do not mention the Prophet, but name Abū ʿUbayda b. al-Jarrāḥ.}

He was asked, ‘What are the most important characteristic moral traits that we should have?’

He replied:

To show endurance (iḥtimāl) in the face of hardship (maʾūna), compassion (rifq) in every situation, and caution against inclining to one’s lower passion if one is elevated [in rank].^{2Possibly elevated spiritually or in worldly status.} Among these qualities is the attainment of the intellect (iktisāb al-ʿaql).

Then there are another three which are necessary: attaining gnosis (iktisāb al-maʿrifa), and putting one’s knowledge into practice (istiʿmāl al-ʿilm), clemency (ḥilm) and humility (tawāḍuʿ).

Yet still there are a further three [characteristics] which are necessary to acquire, and which contain the precepts of worship (aḥkām al-taʿabbud), namely: serenity (sakīna), dignified bearing (waqār) and equity (inṣāf).^{3See Tustarī’s commentary on 36:11 above, for his discussion of inṣāf.}

He also said:

The earth will not consume the body of anyone who keeps the following three qualities: refraining from harming people, bearing the harm that comes from them and doing good to them.

…and they fear a day the evil of which will be widespread.

He said:

In the Hereafter, tribulations (balāyā) and hardships (shadāʾid) will befall the masses, and only a chosen few among the elect (khāṣṣ al-khāṣṣ) will receive deliverance.

His words, Exalted is He:

…And [God] has granted them radiance and joy.

He said:

Radiance on their faces and gladness in the hearts.

His words, Exalted is He:

from a spring therein named Salsabīl.^{1The drink which the righteous will drink in Paradise. This spring is infused with ginger (vs. 17).}

He said:

It is related from al-Musayyib that he said, ‘It is a spring situated to the right of the Throne, [which flows forth] from a reed-like ruby.’

Sahl said:

God drew the attention of His believing servants to it (Salsabīl), and then He said, ‘So, ask your Lord for the way to reach this spring.’

His words, Exalted is He:

…Their Lord will give them a pure drink.

Sahl said:

God has informed^{1That is, translating nabaha according to all three MSS: Z515, f. 126b, F638, f. 61b and F3488, f. 308b, as opposed to nahā in the published edition.} His servants of the impurity (najāsa) of intoxicating drinks (khumūr) in this world. This is why He differentiated between that which is pure and purifying (ṭāhir wa ṭuhūr), [namely], the wines of Paradise, and the wines of this world in their impurity. The wines of this world are sullied and they sully the one who drinks them with sins (āthām), whereas the wines of Paradise are purifying and purify the one who drinks them from every blemish (danas), thereby making him acceptable for the Holy Assembly (majlis al-quds) and the Glorious Spectacle (mashhad al-ʿizz).

[Once] while Sahl was performing the prayer of darkness (ʿatma),^{2i.e. the canonical night prayer (ʿĪshaʾ).} he recited God’s words, Exalted is He: Their Lord will give them a pure drink. Then he began moving his mouth as if he was sucking something. When he finished his prayer he was asked, ‘Did you drink during the prayer?’ To which he answered:

By God, if I had not experienced its taste when I recited it as if I was drinking it, I would not have acted so.^{3See above, the commentary on 2:25, for Sahl’s tasting of the fruit of Paradise.}