Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 47
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 {فَاِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ :} means that although Allah Almighty has countless forms of punishment, He gives you respite and forgives, so that you may give up disobedience and turn back. This is His immense compassion and utmost kindness that you keep committing sins, yet He provides you sustenance and grants you health, and you are not seized immediately by Him. Otherwise, if He were to seize you for your disobedience, not a single creature would remain on the earth. See the last verse of Surah Fatir.
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.
47. 2. That He does not immediately hold people accountable for their sins, rather He grants respite, and through this respite, many people are granted the ability to repent and seek forgiveness.
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.
[46]
Investigation of the Meaning of ﴿تخوّف﴾, Types of Punishment:
Once, Sayyiduna Umar ؓ asked the meaning of "takhawwuf" from the pulpit, so a man from the tribe of Banu Hudhayl replied that in our language, the word "takhawwuf" means "tanqqus" (to gradually diminish). Then, as proof, he also recited a poem, so Sayyiduna Umar ؓ said: Remember the poetry of Jahiliyyah, for in it is the explanation of your Book. [الموافقات للشاطبيج 1 مترجم اردوص 78]
Also, Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas ؓ has explained the meaning of "ala takhawwuf" as "tanqqus" as well. [بخاري، كتاب التفسير۔ تفسير سورة نهل]
In these three verses, different forms of divine punishment are described. One type of punishment is that which descends suddenly, whether it is earthly or heavenly. There are countless forms of this, such as hailstones the size of half a seer falling like stones in the form of rain, destroying crops and living beings, or an earthquake striking so that entire cities sink into the earth split by the quake, or a flood in the sea so that cities settled on the shores are drowned in water, or a volcanic mountain erupts, burning everything to ashes—and all these types of punishment are such that no one has any prior knowledge of them. The second type of punishment is that which occurs during travel, such as a gigantic whale colliding with a ship and sinking it, or the engine of a sea or land vessel or any other kind of vehicle breaking down or ceasing to function, or trains or buses colliding, or a bus falling into a ditch and the passengers drowning or being killed. In short, there are countless forms of this type as well. And the third type is the one regarding which the words "ala takhawwuf" have been used. Such people do not even realize that they have fallen into divine punishment. Such a punishment works gradually from within, and such a society begins to decline until it reaches destruction, and no one has the slightest inkling of such a punishment.
