Surah Ibrahim (14) — Ayah 1
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 If you make {كِتٰبٌ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ اِلَيْكَ:’’ كِتٰبٌ ‘‘ } the predicate of {’’ الٓرٰ ‘‘}, then the meaning will be that {’’ الٓرٰ ‘‘} is a book, that is, the very alphabet from which your speech comes into existence, from those same letters this book has come into existence. If you have the courage to compete, then come and make just one surah from these same letters. One way is to make it the predicate of an omitted subject {’’هٰذَا‘‘}, then the meaning will be, this is a book. The word "sent down" proves its descent from above and that Allah Almighty is above. It is clear that Allah Almighty can neither be called without place nor can He be said to be everywhere, rather He is exalted, He is above the Throne. "We have sent it down to you" shows its greatness.
➌ { لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ:} That is, this book was sent down to you so that you may, through it, bring people out of misguidance. It is clear that the deniers of hadith who consider only the book, that is, the Quran, to be sufficient and regard the Messenger as merely a postman, their statement is not correct. Rather, Allah Almighty, by sending down this book, has repeatedly commanded in it to follow and obey the Messenger, for example, see Al-Imran (31, 32).
➍ {مِنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَى النُّوْرِ:} That is, from the darknesses of disbelief to the light of faith. {’’ اِلٰى صِرَاطِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْحَمِيْدِ ‘‘} This is an apposition of {’’ اِلَى النُّوْرِ ‘‘} and its explanation, that is, what is that light? It is the path of that Mighty and Praiseworthy One whose blessed name is Allah, He who is the sole owner of whatever is in the earth and the heavens. By bringing the word { ’’ الظُّلُمٰتِ ‘‘ } in plural and { ’’ النُّوْرِ ‘‘} in singular, it is clear that the light, that is, the path of guidance, is only one, that is, Islam, whereas the darknesses and misguidances are countless, all of which are various forms of disbelief.
➎ {بِاِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ :} In this, there is an indication that no preacher, even if he is a prophet, can bring people to the straight path of Islam except by the ability given by Allah. Abu Talib, Azar, the son of Noah, and the wives of Noah and Lot (peace be upon them) are clear examples of this, that due to the lack of the Lord's permission, they could not come out of the darknesses of disbelief.
➏ { وَ وَيْلٌ لِّلْكٰفِرِيْنَ: ’’ وَيْلٌ ‘‘} The tanween on { وَ وَيْلٌ لِّلْكٰفِرِيْنَ: ’’ وَيْلٌ ‘‘} is for magnification, the meaning is great destruction, that is, even in this world, for them there is nothing but ruin. (See Tawbah: 55. Ta-Ha: 124 to 127) And on the Day of Resurrection, an even greater calamity is going to befall them. In this world, a small example of {’’ وَيْلٌ ‘‘} for the disbelievers is that you will find the highest rate of suicide among the disbelievers, especially those who are more developed among them, for example, Japan, etc.
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.
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.
[1]
Guidance and Allah’s Permission?
In contrast to light or nur, it is not darkness but rather darknesses that is mentioned, because the straight path can only be one, and this straight path is described as light, whereas the crooked or false paths can be countless, and all of these are paths of misguidance, so all these paths are described as darknesses. Thus, by revealing this Book, the Noble Quran, our purpose is that through it you bring people away from all the paths of falsehood to the straight path. And this can only happen when their Lord also wills to bring them to the right path. And the law of this will is that whoever seeks guidance, Allah certainly grants him the ability to be guided, and this is His will or permission, but those who choose the path of stubbornness, Allah does not grant them the ability to be guided.
