سُوْرَةُ هُوْدٍ
Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 3
وَأَنِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ ﴿3﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَأَنِ
wa-ani
And that
ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟
is'taghfirū
Seek forgiveness
رَبَّكُمْ
rabbakum
(of) your Lord
ثُمَّ
thumma
and
تُوبُوٓا۟
tūbū
turn in repentance
إِلَيْهِ
ilayhi
to Him
يُمَتِّعْكُم
yumattiʿ'kum
He will let you
مَّتَـٰعًا
matāʿan
enjoy
حَسَنًا
ḥasanan
a good
إِلَىٰٓ
ilā
for
أَجَلٍۢ
ajalin
a term
مُّسَمًّۭى
musamman
appointed
وَيُؤْتِ
wayu'ti
And give
كُلَّ
kulla
(to) every
ذِى
dhī
owner
فَضْلٍۢ
faḍlin
(of) grace
فَضْلَهُۥ ۖ
faḍlahu
His Grace
وَإِن
wa-in
But if
تَوَلَّوْا۟
tawallaw
you turn away
فَإِنِّىٓ
fa-innī
then indeed, I
أَخَافُ
akhāfu
fear
عَلَيْكُمْ
ʿalaykum
for you
عَذَابَ
ʿadhāba
(the) punishment
يَوْمٍۢ
yawmin
(of) a Great Day
كَبِيرٍ
kabīrin
(of) a Great Day
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 3) ➊ {وَ اَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَيْهِ:} In the previous verse, from {’’ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُوْۤا اِلَّا اللّٰهَ ‘‘}, it is understood that here seeking forgiveness and repentance means seeking forgiveness and repentance from worshipping others besides Allah, that is, ask for forgiveness and pardon for whatever shirk and disobedience to Allah you have committed, but the benefit of this seeking forgiveness is only when you turn back from those sins and make a sincere intention not to commit them again in the future. Then, if due to human weakness any sin occurs, seek forgiveness again and, along with it, sincerely repent again for the future, and continue this process throughout your life for every slip, no matter how many times it happens. Do not delay in seeking forgiveness after a sin, nor in repenting along with seeking forgiveness. Only then is there benefit in seeking forgiveness and repentance. See Surah An-Nisa (17, 18).
➋ { يُمَتِّعْكُمْ مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا اِلٰۤى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى :} In this, the perfect benefit of seeking forgiveness and repentance has been stated. This world, which Allah Almighty has described as a deceptive enjoyment, Allah Almighty will make it a beautiful enjoyment for the believer who seeks forgiveness and repents, until death. He will benefit from the blessings of the world not as a deceptive enjoyment but as a beautiful enjoyment. If he spends his life in obedience to Allah Almighty along with seeking forgiveness and repentance, then even his worldly pleasures will become rewards for him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him): [ وَلَسْتَ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِيْ بِهَا وَجْهَ اللّٰهِ إِلاَّ أُجِرْتَ بِهَا وَ فِيْ رِوَايَةِ الْبُخَارِيِّ : فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ حَتَّي اللُّقْمَةَ تَجْعَلُهَا فِيْ فِيْ امْرَأَتِكَ ] [ مسلم، الوصیۃ، باب الوصیۃ بالثلث : ۱۶۲۸۔ بخاری : ۲۷۴۲ ] “Whatever you spend, seeking Allah Almighty’s pleasure with it, you will be rewarded for it (the words of Bukhari are that it will become charity), even the morsel that you put in your wife’s mouth.” Such a believer is granted a pure life in this world (even if apparently he is afflicted with hardship) and will be granted the best reward in the Hereafter. See Surah An-Nahl (97). There are countless blessings and benefits of righteous deeds and seeking forgiveness; for a few benefits, see Surah Hud (52, 61, 90).
➌ The meaning of { وَ يُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِيْ فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهٗ : ”فَضْلٍ“ } is “extra,” that is, whoever excels in obedience and good deeds, Allah Almighty will give him more reward in this world or the Hereafter or both. There is no shortage of anything with Allah; His rule is that whoever commits an evil deed, only one evil is recorded for him, and whoever does a good deed, at least ten (10) good deeds are recorded for him, and there is no limit to the maximum, as He said: «{ وَ اللّٰهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ }» [ النور : ۳۸ ] “And Allah gives without measure to whom He wills.” Another meaning is that charity is generally given from what is extra to one’s needs, so whoever spends from his surplus in the way of Allah, Allah Almighty will never let him suffer any loss, rather He will surely give him his surplus, and then whoever gives charity despite his own need, how much more will Allah Almighty bestow His grace upon him? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَا نَقَصَتْ صَدَقَةٌ مِّنْ مَّالٍ ] [ مسلم، کتاب البر والصلۃ، باب استحباب العفو والتواضع : ۲۵۸۸، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] “Charity does not decrease wealth.”
➍ {وَ اِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنِّيْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيْرٍ:} Meaning, the punishment of a very great day. That is, I fear for you not only the punishment of this world but also the punishment of the Day of the Hereafter, which is a very great day, that is, a day of fifty thousand years, and after which there is eternal punishment for the disbelievers.
➋ { يُمَتِّعْكُمْ مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا اِلٰۤى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى :} In this, the perfect benefit of seeking forgiveness and repentance has been stated. This world, which Allah Almighty has described as a deceptive enjoyment, Allah Almighty will make it a beautiful enjoyment for the believer who seeks forgiveness and repents, until death. He will benefit from the blessings of the world not as a deceptive enjoyment but as a beautiful enjoyment. If he spends his life in obedience to Allah Almighty along with seeking forgiveness and repentance, then even his worldly pleasures will become rewards for him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him): [ وَلَسْتَ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِيْ بِهَا وَجْهَ اللّٰهِ إِلاَّ أُجِرْتَ بِهَا وَ فِيْ رِوَايَةِ الْبُخَارِيِّ : فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ حَتَّي اللُّقْمَةَ تَجْعَلُهَا فِيْ فِيْ امْرَأَتِكَ ] [ مسلم، الوصیۃ، باب الوصیۃ بالثلث : ۱۶۲۸۔ بخاری : ۲۷۴۲ ] “Whatever you spend, seeking Allah Almighty’s pleasure with it, you will be rewarded for it (the words of Bukhari are that it will become charity), even the morsel that you put in your wife’s mouth.” Such a believer is granted a pure life in this world (even if apparently he is afflicted with hardship) and will be granted the best reward in the Hereafter. See Surah An-Nahl (97). There are countless blessings and benefits of righteous deeds and seeking forgiveness; for a few benefits, see Surah Hud (52, 61, 90).
➌ The meaning of { وَ يُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِيْ فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهٗ : ”فَضْلٍ“ } is “extra,” that is, whoever excels in obedience and good deeds, Allah Almighty will give him more reward in this world or the Hereafter or both. There is no shortage of anything with Allah; His rule is that whoever commits an evil deed, only one evil is recorded for him, and whoever does a good deed, at least ten (10) good deeds are recorded for him, and there is no limit to the maximum, as He said: «{ وَ اللّٰهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ }» [ النور : ۳۸ ] “And Allah gives without measure to whom He wills.” Another meaning is that charity is generally given from what is extra to one’s needs, so whoever spends from his surplus in the way of Allah, Allah Almighty will never let him suffer any loss, rather He will surely give him his surplus, and then whoever gives charity despite his own need, how much more will Allah Almighty bestow His grace upon him? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَا نَقَصَتْ صَدَقَةٌ مِّنْ مَّالٍ ] [ مسلم، کتاب البر والصلۃ، باب استحباب العفو والتواضع : ۲۵۸۸، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] “Charity does not decrease wealth.”
➍ {وَ اِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنِّيْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيْرٍ:} Meaning, the punishment of a very great day. That is, I fear for you not only the punishment of this world but also the punishment of the Day of the Hereafter, which is a very great day, that is, a day of fifty thousand years, and after which there is eternal punishment for the disbelievers.
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.
3. 1. Here, the worldly provisions which the Quran generally calls 'mata‘ ghuroor' (deceptive provision), are here referred to as 'mata‘ hasan' (good provision). This means that whoever benefits from the worldly provision while being heedless of the Hereafter, for him it is a deceptive provision, because afterwards he will have to face a bad end. And whoever benefits from it while preparing for the Hereafter, for him this short-lived provision of life is a good provision, because he has used it according to Allah’s commands.
3. 2. The great day refers to the Day of Resurrection.
3. 2. The great day refers to the Day of Resurrection.
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.
3. And that you seek forgiveness from your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. He will grant you a good provision for a specified term and will bestow His grace upon everyone who possesses merit [4]. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the punishment of a great Day [5].
[3]
The Benefits of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness:
In this verse, the great virtue of repentance and seeking forgiveness has been described. The main objective of repentance and seeking forgiveness is to have one's sins forgiven. If repentance is done with sincerity, then Allah certainly forgives the sins. An additional benefit is that as long as the one who repents and seeks forgiveness remains alive, Allah will grant him a good provision. By "good provision" is meant pure and lawful sustenance, blessing in that sustenance, and a life of inner satisfaction and peace. And in another place, it is stated that Allah does not send punishment upon a nation in which there are people who repent and seek forgiveness. [8: 33] Furthermore, seeking forgiveness removes calamities and afflictions just as charity does, as is established by many authentic hadiths.
Good Provision and Deceptive Provision:
In contrast to good provision, Allah has used the words "deceptive provision" for the disbelievers. That is, the provision of life given to the disbelievers, even if it is more than that of the believers—and often it is so—this provision keeps them engrossed in deception and delusion. They think they are living the best life and that Allah is kind to them, whereas, without distinguishing between lawful and unlawful, the wealth and riches they have earned often become a source of misery for them even in this world, and in the Hereafter, it will certainly become so.
[4] That is, Allah greatly values those who repent, seek forgiveness, and perform righteous deeds. Whoever has done as many good deeds, Allah will grant him a correspondingly high rank. It should be clear that continuously repenting and seeking forgiveness is itself a very great good deed.
[5] It is those who turn away from the call of truth who should fear the punishment of the dreadful day, and as for the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that "I fear the punishment that may befall you," this is due to his perfect compassion and sympathy which he had for all people.
[3]
The Benefits of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness:
In this verse, the great virtue of repentance and seeking forgiveness has been described. The main objective of repentance and seeking forgiveness is to have one's sins forgiven. If repentance is done with sincerity, then Allah certainly forgives the sins. An additional benefit is that as long as the one who repents and seeks forgiveness remains alive, Allah will grant him a good provision. By "good provision" is meant pure and lawful sustenance, blessing in that sustenance, and a life of inner satisfaction and peace. And in another place, it is stated that Allah does not send punishment upon a nation in which there are people who repent and seek forgiveness. [8: 33] Furthermore, seeking forgiveness removes calamities and afflictions just as charity does, as is established by many authentic hadiths.
Good Provision and Deceptive Provision:
In contrast to good provision, Allah has used the words "deceptive provision" for the disbelievers. That is, the provision of life given to the disbelievers, even if it is more than that of the believers—and often it is so—this provision keeps them engrossed in deception and delusion. They think they are living the best life and that Allah is kind to them, whereas, without distinguishing between lawful and unlawful, the wealth and riches they have earned often become a source of misery for them even in this world, and in the Hereafter, it will certainly become so.
[4] That is, Allah greatly values those who repent, seek forgiveness, and perform righteous deeds. Whoever has done as many good deeds, Allah will grant him a correspondingly high rank. It should be clear that continuously repenting and seeking forgiveness is itself a very great good deed.
[5] It is those who turn away from the call of truth who should fear the punishment of the dreadful day, and as for the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that "I fear the punishment that may befall you," this is due to his perfect compassion and sympathy which he had for all people.
