Refuge (Maʿwa) الْمَأْوَى

Overview

Al-Maʾwā (Arabic: الْمَأْوَى; "the dwelling, the refuge") is a Quranic term used in two distinct senses in eschatology:

1. Jannat al-Maʾwā ("the Garden of Refuge") — one of the names of Paradise, used in Surah An-Najm 53:15.
2. Al-Maʾwā as the resort of those who transgressed — used in Surah An-Nāziʿāt 79:39: "Then indeed Hell will be his refuge." The same usage appears in Surah Aal Imran 3:151, 3:162, 3:197, and elsewhere — Hell as the wrongdoer's final lodging.

The double-edged use is intentional: the Quran teaches that every soul finds a "refuge" — but the question is which one. Surah An-Nāziʿāt 79:37–41 contrasts the two: "As for one who transgressed and preferred the worldly life — indeed, the Hellfire will be his refuge. But as for one who feared the position of his Lord and forbade the soul from desire — indeed, Paradise will be his refuge."

Quranic references

• Surah An-Najm 53:15 — "Near it is the Garden of Refuge."
• Surah As-Sajdah 32:19 — "As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation."
• Surah An-Nāziʿāt 79:39, 79:41 — both refuges contrasted.
• Surah Aal Imran 3:151, 3:162, 3:197 — Hell as the refuge.

See also

• Jannah
• Jahannam
• An-Nazi'at
• Day of Judgement

References

1. The Quran: Surahs Aal Imran 3:151, 3:162, 3:197; As-Sajdah 32:19; An-Najm 53:15; An-Nāziʿāt 79:37–41.
2. Ibn Kathir, Tafsīr, on the cited verses.