Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَتَوَٰرَىٰyatawārāHe hides himself
مِنَminafrom
ٱلْقَوْمِl-qawmithe people
مِنmin(because) of
سُوٓءِsūithe evil
مَاmāof what
بُشِّرَbushirahe has been given good news
بِهِۦٓ ۚbihiabout
أَيُمْسِكُهُۥayum'sikuhuShould he keep it
عَلَىٰʿalāin
هُونٍhūninhumiliation
أَمْamor
يَدُسُّهُۥyadussuhubury it
فِىfīin
ٱلتُّرَابِ ۗl-turābithe dust
أَلَاalāUnquestionably
سَآءَsāaevil
مَاmā(is) what
يَحْكُمُونَyaḥkumūnathey decide
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 tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.
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.
59. 1. That is, when they hear the news of the birth of a daughter, their condition is as mentioned, and they assign daughters to Allah. How evil is this decision they make. Here, it should not be understood that Allah also considers girls to be inferior or lesser compared to boys. No, in the sight of Allah, there is no distinction between boys and girls, nor is there any concept of inferiority or superiority based on gender with Him. Here, the only purpose is to clarify the injustice and utterly irrational attitude of the Arabs, which they adopted regarding Allah, even though they themselves acknowledged Allah’s superiority and excellence. The logical result of this was that what they did not like for themselves, they should not have assigned to Allah either, but they did the opposite. Here, only this injustice has been clarified.
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.
59. He hides himself from the people because of the bad news he has received, (wondering) whether he should keep her in disgrace or bury her in the earth. Behold, how evil is the judgment they make!
[56] Burying Daughters Alive:
For this reason, it became a common practice among the Arab polytheists that as soon as daughters were born, they would bury them alive. ﴿اَيُمْسِكُهُعَليٰهُوْنٍ﴾ can have two meanings. One is that he himself remains humiliated in the eyes of people and lets the girl live, and the second is that if he lets the girl live, he keeps her so humiliated and helpless as if she is not even his child, nor even a human being. Ultimately, Islam put an end to this vile custom, declared burying alive as unlawful killing, and gave the rightful status of women in society.