Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if every person who had wronged (by disbelieving in Allâh and by worshipping others besides Allâh) possessed all that is on the earth and sought to ransom himself therewith (it will not be accepted), and they would feel in their hearts regret when they see the torment, and they will be judged with justice, and no wrong will be done unto them.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْwalawAnd if
أَنَّannathat
لِكُلِّlikullifor every
نَفْسٍۢnafsinsoul
ظَلَمَتْẓalamat(that) wronged
مَاmāwhatever
فِىfī(is) in
ٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe earth
لَٱفْتَدَتْla-if'tadatit (would) seek to ransom
بِهِۦ ۗbihiwith it
وَأَسَرُّوا۟wa-asarrūand they (will) confide
ٱلنَّدَامَةَl-nadāmatathe regret
لَمَّاlammāwhen
رَأَوُا۟ra-awūthey see
ٱلْعَذَابَ ۖl-ʿadhābathe punishment
وَقُضِىَwaquḍiyaBut will be judged
بَيْنَهُمbaynahumbetween them
بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚbil-qis'ṭiin justice
وَهُمْwahumand they
لَاlā(will) not
يُظْلَمُونَyuẓ'lamūna(be) wronged
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 54) ➊ {وَاَسَرُّواالنَّدَامَةَلَمَّارَاَوُاالْعَذَابَ :} That is, the punishment which they mocked all their lives, when it suddenly appears before them completely contrary to their expectations, their condition will be strange: on one hand, they will be extremely ashamed and their consciences will be reproaching them, but on the other hand, they will also want to hide their shame from their companions and followers lest they reproach them, so they will be ashamed in their hearts and will try to appear content outwardly. It is written in Qamoos that { ’’ اَسَرَّهُ ‘‘ } is among the words with opposite meanings; it means both to hide and to reveal. The second meaning would be that when they see the punishment, they will express regret. ➋ {وَهُمْلَايُظْلَمُوْنَ:} That is, this punishment will be the result of their own deeds, so it will be absolute justice and there will be no injustice done to them in any way.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
54. 1. That is, if by giving all the treasures of the world he could escape the punishment, he would be willing to give it. But there, who will have anything at all? The meaning is that there will be no way to escape the punishment.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
If every wrongdoer possessed all that is on the earth, he would surely offer it as ransom to save himself from the punishment. When they see the punishment, they will hide their remorse. The matter will be judged between them with complete justice, and they will not be wronged.
[69] All the Wealth and Riches of the Worlds as Ransom:
That is, in the Hereafter, only those righteous deeds will be of benefit which a person has sent ahead for himself while believing in Allah and the Last Day. Other than deeds, neither wealth and riches, nor kinship, nor intercession will be of any use there. In the mentioned verse, the mention of wealth and riches is hypothetical, meaning that if a criminal were to possess the treasures and wealth of the entire world in the Hereafter, he would try to offer all of it as ransom to save himself from punishment, but this will be impossible there. Accordingly, the Prophet ﷺ said: "On the Day of Resurrection, Allah Almighty will say to the dweller of Hell who is receiving the lightest punishment, 'If you had the wealth of the world and all that is in it, would you offer it as ransom for yourself?' He will say, 'Yes.' Allah Almighty will say, 'I had asked you for something easier than this in the world and had said that if you remain firm on this matter (i.e., Tawheed), I will not admit you to Hell, but you persisted in shirk.'" [مسلم، كتاب صفة القيامة۔ باب الكفار]
[70] They will hide their regret because they did not choose the wrong path out of ignorance or lack of knowledge, but rather out of stubbornness, obstinacy, and prejudice. However, they will not succeed even in hiding this regret.