Presented by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract

Belief in the afterlife is a cornerstone of Islamic faith, bringing hope that the faithful will be reunited with their loved ones in Paradise. This commentary explores Quran 40:7–9 – verses in which angels pray for the forgiveness and eternal reward of believers – with a special focus on the promise that the righteous will be joined by their ancestors, spouses, and offspring in the Gardens of Paradise. We examine similar Quranic verses that echo this comforting theme, related hadiths from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Imams, and even parallel ideas in the Bible. Additionally, we highlight how this concept enriches the Quranic supplication of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) in Quran 14:40–41 – a prayer often invoked in daily salat (prayer). Classical Sunni, Shia, and Sufi scholars have all celebrated the vision of families joyfully united in the Hereafter, and their insights will be interwoven throughout.

The Angels’ Prayer for Believers (Quran 40:7–9)

Quran 40:7–9 is a passage where the angels who bear the Divine Throne and those around it exalt God’s glory and implore His mercy for the faithful. These angels pray: “Our Lord, admit them into the Gardens of Eternity which You have promised them, along with the righteous among their forefathers, their spouses, and their descendants. Indeed, You alone are the Almighty, All-Wise” quran.com myislam.org. In this beautiful supplication, the angels ask not only for believers to be forgiven and saved from Hell, but also to enter Paradise in the company of their loved ones who were righteous. The phrase “whoever was righteous among their fathers, spouses, and offspring” emphasizes that faith and goodness are the criteria for this blessed reunion – each person must merit Paradise on their own, yet by Allah’s grace the family can join at the level of the most pious among them myislam.org.

According to classical exegesis, this angelic prayer highlights God’s kindness in rewarding believers with the comfort of family togetherness in the Hereafter. Abul A‘la Maududi, a modern Sunni scholar, explains in his commentary that the angels specifically pray for God to “join [the believers] with their parents, wives and children for the comfort of their eyes.” Allah Himself promises this as a great blessing of Paradise in other verses (e.g. Quran 13:23 and 52:21) myislam.org. The joy of Paradise is not only personal bliss, but also the added delight of reunion: seeing one’s beloved parents, spouses, and children enjoying the same eternal felicity. The angels’ repetition of such prayers (even though God has already promised Paradise to the believers) shows their earnest love and solicitude for the faithful myislam.org. As one early scholar noted, “the most sincere well-wishers of the believers are the angels”, who constantly seek blessings on our behalf quran.com.

Verse 40:8, in particular, paints a touching image of familial bonds persisting beyond death. Classical Sunni tafsir scholars like Imam Ibn Kathir elaborate that Allah will honor the angels’ plea by reuniting families in Paradise “so as to grant them the utmost gratification.” If some members of a family earned higher ranks in Paradise due to their deeds, the others will not be left behind in a lesser station; rather, by Allah’s favor, they will be elevated “in order to cool the eyes (delight) of the parents [and loved ones]” quran.com. In other words, the person of higher faith is not downgraded to a lower level to join their family; instead, the family members of slightly lesser deeds are uplifted to join the higher rank by God’s mercy myislam.org. This ensures a true reunion without anyone losing the rewards of their own work myislam.org. The Quran emphasizes that such elevation does not diminish the reward of the more righteous in any way – “We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds” (Quran 52:21) – it is an extra grace from the Most Generous myislam.org.

Quranic Verses Affirming Family Reunion in Paradise

The theme in Quran 40:8 is not isolated; several Quranic passages affirm that believers will enjoy togetherness with family in the eternal life, provided their loved ones were also righteous. For instance, Quran 13:23 describes the righteous entering “Gardens of perpetual bliss” along with “whoever were righteous among their fathers, spouses, and descendants,” and being greeted by angels from every gate with peace myislam.org. Similarly, Quran 52:21 promises that “those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith – We will unite them with their offspring, and will not deprive [anyone] of [the reward of] their deeds” myislam.org myislam.org. In this verse, the imagery is of children being joined with their parents in Paradise as a favor, even if the parents’ level is higher – a direct corollary to what we saw in 40:8. The language of “joining” or “uniting” families indicates a reunion in the Hereafter that brings joy and continuity to relationships formed in faith.

These promises extend to spouses as well. The Quran often portrays the people of Paradise rejoicing with their marital partners: “Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, rejoicing,” reads Quran 43:70 quran.com. And in Surah Ya-Sin it is said of Paradise: “They and their spouses will be in [cool] shade, reclining on adorned couches.” surahquran.com. Such verses highlight that the companionship of husband and wife, purified of any worldly flaws, is among the delights of Jannah. In Tafsir al-Jalalayn, the commentators note on 36:56 that the plural “spouses” can include one’s wives or husbands as well as broader loved ones or companions in Paradise quranx.com. The overarching message is that Paradise is a realm of happy reunions – not a solitary bliss, but a shared joy with family and loved ones who earned salvation.

It is important to stress that this reunion is conditional on righteousness (ṣalāḥ). Quran 40:8 and 13:23 both qualify the relatives with “those who were righteous (ṣāliḥ) among” them myislam.org. Every soul is ultimately responsible for its own faith and deeds – “every person is pledged to what he earned” (52:21) – so there is no automatic entry for someone just because their kin are pious myislam.org myislam.org. Yet, by Allah’s mercy, if both generations believed, the lesser among them will be granted a higher place so that the family can rejoice together myislam.org. This concept greatly comforts believers, inspiring them to guide their family to virtue so that no one is left behind. Indeed, pious Muslims often pray for their relatives’ faith, knowing that the truest family reunion is in the everlasting life.

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