Surah Ar-Ra'd (13) — Ayah 26
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ The tanween of { وَ فَرِحُوْا بِالْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا … : ’’ مَتَاعٌ ‘‘} is for diminution and contempt, that is, a little, insignificant provision, meaning the disbelievers are exulting over the comforts of worldly life, whereas in comparison to the Hereafter, this is merely a little and insignificant provision for a short time. Al-Mustawrid bin Shaddad (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ وَاللّٰهِ! مَا الدُّنْيَا فِيْ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ هٰذِهِ ــ وَأَشَارَ يَحْيَی بِالسَّبَّابَةِ ــ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ ] [مسلم، الجنۃ وصفۃ نعیمھا، باب فناء الدنیا… : ۲۸۵۸ ] "By Allah! The world in comparison to the Hereafter is nothing except like this example: that one of you puts his finger"—and the narrator Yahya pointed with his index finger—"into the sea, then let him see what it brings back." Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) states: [ نَامَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلٰی حَصِيْرٍ فَقَامَ وَقَدْ أَثَّرَ فِيْ جَنْبِهِ، فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ! لَوِ اتَّخَذْنَا لَكَ وِطَاءً، فَقَالَ مَا لِيْ وَ لِلدُّنْيَا، مَا أَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ كَرَاكِبٍ اسْتَظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ، ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا ] [ ترمذی، الزھد، باب حدیث ما الدنیا إلا کراکب استظل : ۲۳۷۷ ] "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) slept on a mat, and when he got up, the mat had left marks on his side. We said, 'O Messenger of Allah! Should we not make a soft bedding for you?' He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'What have I to do with the world! I am in the world only like a rider who rested under the shade of a tree, then left it and moved on.'"
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.
26. 2 If someone is receiving more worldly wealth, even though he is disobedient to Allah, then this is not a matter of joy and happiness, because this is istidraj (gradual respite), a delay; who knows when this respite will end and he will be caught in Allah's grip.
26. 3 In a hadith it is mentioned that the status of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is like a person dipping his finger into the sea and then taking it out; let him see how much water remains on his finger compared to the sea? (Sahih Bukhari) In another hadith, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by a dead goat's kid, and upon seeing it, he said, "By Allah, the world is even more insignificant in the sight of Allah than this dead kid was to its owners when they threw it away." (Sahih Muslim)
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.
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Abundance of Wealth and Property is Not a Sign of Allah’s Mercy:
It has always been the way of worldly people that they measure a person’s worth and value by the standards of wealth, property, and worldly status. These people think that the more prosperous a person is, the more his Lord is kind to him, and if someone’s means are straitened, it is proof that Allah is displeased with him. In this verse, this notion has been refuted, and it has been explained that there is an entirely different law for the increase and decrease of sustenance, in which there are other kinds of wisdom. In this world, the increase or decrease of sustenance has nothing to do with a person’s guidance, success, or salvation; rather, abundance of sustenance often becomes a cause of misguidance for people. Therefore, one should not be enamored by worldly wealth and possessions, because all these things are perishable and are utterly insignificant compared to those eternal and lasting blessings that will be granted to Allah’s obedient servants in the Hereafter.
