By Ayeyemi Taofeek
THE “scattered pearls” in Arabic is “Luluan Manthuuran.” It is derived from the Glorious Quran in Suratul Insaan, verse 19. Allah says; “And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think they are scattered pearls.”
Allah used this attribute to describe the young boys from the boys of Paradise who will go around serving the people of Paradise. Their youthfulness would be eternal in order to everlastingly serve and satisfy their masters (the people of Paradise).
There is no better quality than this, nor is there anything nicer to look at than scattered pearls in a beautiful place like the paradise. Pearl is a small round object, usually white, that forms around a grain of sand inside the shell of any sea animal, especially an oyster, and it’s very valuable, usually used to make jewellery.
And as regards the boys, when you see them dispersing to fulfil the needs of their masters, their great number, their beautiful faces, handsome colours, fine clothing and ornaments, you would think that they were scattered pearls.
If that’s the case, why can’t we work towards attaining this position, of being served by such swarm of boys, by submissively serving Allah, following His order and fleeing what He forbade us from doing. There are reasons why Allah promised the Muslims the beautiful rewards; and that’s for being pious and righteous.
Allah says in earlier verses of the Surah thusly;
“They fulfill (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide-spreading. And they give food, inspite of their love for it, to the poor, the orphan and the captive. Saying: “We feed you seeking Allah’s Face only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, we fear from our Lord a Day that is `Abus and Qamtarir.” So, Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadrah (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.” (Q, 76 vs 7-12)
So, for you to be a Master of the boys (of scattered pearls) in the Paradise , you have to; be righteous, have features of the IbaaduLahi in Suratul Furqaan verse 63 – 74, fear Allah, always fulfil your vows, feed the hungry, be patient and always moisten your tongue with the remembrance of Allah.
The above are the stated attributes of those whom Allah promises the boys of the scattered pearls. To corroborate those mentioned in Suratul Insaan, verse 75 & 76 of Al-Furqaan provides; “those will be rewarded with the highest place because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect. Abiding therein- excellent it is as an abode, and as a place to rest in.”
And for you to qualify for this, you have to portray these good conducts and be seen as a pearl on earth. This habit should continue until the Muslim populace is likened to “the scattered pearls” on earth.
We beseech Allah, the Exalted, to inspire us with good deeds and make doing them an easy task for us. Wa akhiru da’waana, AlhamduliLahi Robbil ‘alamin.
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“Ayeyemi Taofeek popularly known as Aswagaawy is an essayist, poet, and Law Student of Lagos State University. He is the winner of the Equity Prize of Advocacy 2013, Soul’e Rhymez Competition 2016 and LASULAWS BEST Writer Award, 2016.
