Living The Quran
From Issue: 481 [Read full issue]
Al-Rad (Thunder)
Chapter 13: Verse 23 (Partial)
Together in Eden
"Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring."
Parents, spouses and the offspring, although righteous, might not deserve the same rank and level of Paradise, but in honour of the exemplary soul, would be allowed in the same rank and level.
In fact, Ibn Abbas has said that they could be very ordinary believers. Wahidi has pointed out that if they happen to be believers of the same quality, then their entry would be on their own merits and cannot be considered a favour shown. Therefore, they would have to be of lower status granted a Paradise of higher rank, for the pleasure of the higher rank of the person in discussion. Further, as Razi has pointed out, the rule is both for man and woman, husband and wife: whichever is of higher rank will have the other with him or her in Paradise in honour of his or her true faith and righteous deeds.
Source:
"Tafsir Ishraq Al-Ma'ani" - Syed Iqbal Zaheer, Vol 6, pp. 101, 102