al-Ṭūr

وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ غِلْمَانٌ لَّهُمْ كَأنَّهُمْ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَّكْنُونٌ

24. And there will go round pages of theirs to serve them as if they were pearls in shells.

While reclining on their royal thrones, the people of Paradise shall be served by most beautiful pages resembling pearls in shells. Pearls look so fresh, transparent, and beauteous in shells though they preserve their beauty without shells, but dust and other impurities decrease their freshness and brilliance. Pages of Paradise look so beautiful, fresh, and white complexioned that they are likened to pearls in shells. The expression:

"go round"

makes a reference to their preparedness for rendering service at all times, though there shall be no need for servants in Paradise since the people of Paradise shall be provided with whatever they require. Such service reflects further respect for them. It is narrated from the Noble Prophet (S) that he was inquired:

"If servants resemble pearls in shells, how will be those being served, namely the people of Paradise?"

He replied:

"The superiority of those who will be served over those who provide them with service in Paradise is like the superiority of full moon over other planets." ⁵

It is worthy of note that the expression "of theirs" reflects that each and every believer shall have his own servants and they serve them with utmost delight since there shall be no sorrow in Paradise.

Footnotes

1. 5. Tafsir Majma‘ al-Bayan; Kashshaf; Qurtubi; Ruh al-Bayan; Abu al-Futuh Razi's Tafsir.