Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and the Hour is surely coming, so overlook (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) their faults with gracious forgiveness. [This was before the ordainment of Jihâd - holy fighting in Allâh’s cause].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَاwamāAnd not
خَلَقْنَاkhalaqnāWe created
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضَwal-arḍaand the earth
وَمَاwamāand whatever
بَيْنَهُمَآbaynahumā(is) between them
إِلَّاillāexcept
بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗbil-ḥaqiin truth
وَإِنَّwa-innaAnd indeed
ٱلسَّاعَةَl-sāʿatathe Hour
لَـَٔاتِيَةٌۭ ۖlaātiyatun(is) surely coming
فَٱصْفَحِfa-iṣ'faḥiSo overlook
ٱلصَّفْحَl-ṣafḥa(with) forgiveness
ٱلْجَمِيلَl-jamīlagracious
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.
The meaning of {وَمَاخَلَقْنَاالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضَ …: ’’ بِالْحَقِّ ‘‘} is a correct, purposeful action that is bound to happen, which is neither useless nor aimless, and which nothing can prevent. In contrast to this is falsehood. He said: «{ بَلْنَقْذِفُبِالْحَقِّعَلَىالْبَاطِلِ }»[ الأنبیاء : ۱۸] “Rather, We hurl the truth against falsehood.” After mentioning the stories of four prophets, now attention is drawn to Allah’s great creation—the heavens and the earth and the countless creatures between them, each of which points to Allah’s oneness, greatness, and power. He said that We did not create all this without purpose; rather, all of it is for your needs, and it is necessary in every situation for each of them to obey Allah’s command. No one has the authority to disobey. Only humans and jinn have been given some choice as a test; if they use it correctly, they will be deserving of Allah’s rewards in this world and the Hereafter, as mentioned in the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). If they misuse it, then either they will be seized by Allah’s punishment in this world, as the peoples of Lut, Shu‘ayb, and Salih (peace be upon him) were seized by Allah’s punishment. After that, surely the Day of Resurrection will come, in which the righteous will be given their full reward for their good deeds; if they did not receive it in this world, it will be made up there. Similarly, the evil ones will be given the full recompense for their evil, and if they were given respite in this world, it will be made up there. Therefore, you and your companions should be patient over the excesses of these disbelievers and overlook their verbal abuse (see Al ‘Imran: 186), and overlook in a beautiful manner, so that the path of invitation is not closed by severing ties. This entire statement is for the comfort of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
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.
85. 1. By "truth" is meant those benefits and righteous purposes which are intended by the creation of the heavens and the earth. Or, by "truth" is meant giving the doer of good (the righteous) the reward for his goodness and the evildoer the recompense for his evil. Just as it is stated in another place: "To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, so that He may recompense those who do evil for what they have done and reward those who do good with what is best" (an-Najm: 31).
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.
85. And We did not create the heavens, the earth, and all that is between them except for a purpose. And surely, the Hour is coming. So (O Prophet!) bear with their absurdities [46] with gracious patience.
[46] The reason why divine punishment descended upon those nations and they were uprooted from their very foundations was that their way of life was not based on any solid reality, but rather on superstition and falsehood, whereas every single thing in the universe has been created upon solid realities. And from these very realities, it is also evident that this universe has not been created without purpose, and the wisdom of Allah demands that the Day of Resurrection must certainly come to pass. And the criminals have always denied the concept of the Hereafter and accountability before Allah. Therefore, their end was bound to be as such. And now these polytheists of Makkah, who are treading the same path, are also destined for the same end, so there is no need to engage with them. You ﷺ should, for now, overlook them. Allah is watching everything. He Himself will deal with them at the appropriate time.
