سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 117

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 280

مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿117﴾
A passing brief enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will have a painful torment.
مَتَـٰعٌۭ matāʿun An enjoyment
قَلِيلٌۭ qalīlun little
وَلَهُمْ walahum and for them
عَذَابٌ ʿadhābun (is) a punishment
أَلِيمٌۭ alīmun painful

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 tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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 benefit of such a lie is only a little [120], but (in the Hereafter) there is a painful punishment for them.

[120]
Those Who Make Things Lawful and Unlawful Themselves Benefit From It:

That is, the mention of all such actions of the polytheists—such as setting some animals free in the name of idols, dedicating a portion of their crops and livestock to Allah and another portion to idols, then compensating the idols’ share from Allah’s share, etc.—has already passed under verse 135 of Surah Al-An’am. And the benefit of all such actions, directly or indirectly, would reach the caretakers or custodians of the shrines. They were the ones who invented such polytheistic practices and attributed them to Allah, thus gaining worldly benefits, and for the sake of their temporary worldly interests, they led many people into polytheism. Such people will be struck with a painful punishment because, for the sake of their short-lived worldly gain, they led countless servants of Allah into the grave sin of polytheism.