Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief!
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذَاwa-idhāAnd when
بُشِّرَbushirais given good news
أَحَدُهُمaḥaduhum(to) one of them
بِٱلْأُنثَىٰbil-unthāof a female
ظَلَّẓallaturns
وَجْهُهُۥwajhuhuhis face
مُسْوَدًّۭاmus'waddandark
وَهُوَwahuwaand he
كَظِيمٌۭkaẓīmunsuppresses grief
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.
(Ayah59,58){وَاِذَابُشِّرَاَحَدُهُمْبِالْاُنْثٰى … :} Basharah: good news by which signs of happiness appear on the face; here it is used sarcastically, as He said: «{ فَبَشِّرْهُمْبِعَذَابٍاَلِيْمٍ }»[آل عمران : ۲۱ ] “So give them the good news of a painful punishment.” {’’ظَلَّكَذَا‘‘} He remained like that the whole day. This also comes in the meaning of {’’صَارَ‘‘} that he became like that. The meaning of { ’’ كَظِيْمٌ ‘‘ } is {’’ كَتْمٌ ‘‘} (to hide), as He said: «{ وَالْكٰظِمِيْنَالْغَيْظَ }»[ آل عمران : ۱۳۴ ] “And those who swallow their anger.” This is taken from { ’’ كَظَمَالْقِرْبَةَ ‘‘ }. When a waterskin is filled with water, then its mouth is tied, it seems as if it will burst at any moment; the meaning is filled with grief, that is, after hearing the news of the birth of a daughter, his face remains darkened the whole day due to grief, but despite being filled with grief, he does not express it. In his own mind, now he is not worthy of facing anyone, so he considers this good news so bad that he keeps hiding from people and does not understand what to do, whether to keep her with him and bear being humiliated in the eyes of the ignorant society, or to hide her in the earth, that is, to bury her alive. Allah Almighty, to draw special attention, said {’’ اَلَا ‘‘} Listen, beware, both these decisions are very evil. To keep the daughter while considering her lowly and humiliated, and to bury her alive. Allah Almighty has made four categories regarding giving or not giving children; first of all, He declared daughters as His gift and grant, He said: «{ يَهَبُلِمَنْيَّشَآءُاِنَاثًاوَّيَهَبُلِمَنْيَّشَآءُالذُّكُوْرَ (49) اَوْيُزَوِّجُهُمْذُكْرَانًاوَّاِنَاثًاوَيَجْعَلُمَنْيَّشَآءُعَقِيْمًااِنَّهٗعَلِيْمٌقَدِيْرٌ }»[ الشورٰی : ۴۹، ۵۰ ] “He grants daughters to whom He wills, and He grants sons to whom He wills, or He combines them, sons and daughters, and He makes whom He wills barren; surely He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.” In Islam, the reward for raising daughters has been greatly mentioned; for details, see the commentary of Surah Ash-Shura, Ayah (50).
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
