Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. Evil indeed is the gift gifted [i.e. the curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in the Hereafter)].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَأُتْبِعُوا۟wa-ut'biʿūAnd they were followed
فِىfīin
هَـٰذِهِۦhādhihithis
لَعْنَةًۭlaʿnatan(by) a curse
وَيَوْمَwayawmaand (on the) Day
ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚl-qiyāmati(of) the Resurrection
بِئْسَbi'saWretched
ٱلرِّفْدُl-rif'du(is) the gift
ٱلْمَرْفُودُl-marfūduwhich (will) be given
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 99) ➊ {وَاُتْبِعُوْافِيْهٰذِهٖلَعْنَةً …:} That is, besides the fire, they were also given this punishment that people will continue to curse them until the end of the world, and as for the curse that will befall them on the Day of Resurrection, its state is well known. In these verses, Pharaoh is clearly described as a denizen of Hell, but some people, in order to destroy Islam, invented the doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Existence) under the guise of Sufism and said that in reality, everything is Allah Almighty, so Pharaoh was not wrong in saying {’’ اَنَارَبُّكُمُالْاَعْليٰ ‘‘}. According to these people, Husayn ibn Mansur Hallaj, who is commonly known as Mansur, was a perfect saint because he used to say that he was God. He had attained the real truth and openly said {’’ أَنَاالْحَقُّ ‘‘}, but at that time, the protector of Islam, the Caliph of the time, upon the proof of this blasphemous belief, had him crucified. According to these Wujudi heretics, he was crucified but did not refrain from speaking the truth. Upon such blasphemous words and beliefs, Allah's curse descends, as a result of which the distinction between Creator and creation is erased, the distinction between Paradise and Hell is erased, and every command of the Shariah is nullified. When it is said that Pharaoh was drowned in the sea as a punishment for his rebellion, they say that Pharaoh was actually drowned in the ocean of Tawhid (monotheism). In short, they utter such clear words of disbelief which are plainly against the Quran, but in order to remain among Muslims and mislead them, they wear the cloak of Islam, although this belief is in clear opposition to the Islam that has come from Allah and His Messenger and is present with us in the form of the Quran and Hadith. According to this belief, the distinction between good and evil, polytheism and monotheism, marriage and adultery, in short, every obedience and disobedience is erased, and all the Prophets and Divine Books are rendered useless. [ نَعُوْذُبِاللّٰہِمِنْھٰذِہِالْعَقِیْدَۃِالْمَلْعُوْنَۃِ] It is explicitly stated in the Noble Quran that the people of Pharaoh were surrounded by fire as soon as they died, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be subjected to the most severe punishment. See Surah Al-Mu’min (45, 46).
➋ The meaning of {’’ الرِّفْدُ ‘‘ } is gift, {’’ الْمَرْفُوْدُ ‘‘} which was given to them, that is, the gift of curse in this world and the Hereafter. Curse is called a gift and reward in a mocking manner, as it is said: «{ فَبَشِّرْهُمْبِعَذَابٍاَلِيْمٍ }»[ آل عمران :۲۱] “So give them the glad tidings of a painful punishment.”
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.
99. 1 La'nah means curse and being distant and deprived of Allah's mercy, that is, in this world too they will be deprived of Allah's mercy and in the Hereafter as well, they will remain deprived of it, if they do not believe.
99. 2 Rifd is called a reward or a gift. Here, curse is called rifd. That is why it is called a bad reward. Marfud is the reward that is given to someone. This is an emphasis of al-rifd.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
