سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 95

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 278

وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿95﴾
And purchase not a small gain at the cost of Allâh’s Covenant. Verily! What is with Allâh is better for you if you did but know.
وَلَا walā And (do) not
تَشْتَرُوا۟ tashtarū exchange
بِعَهْدِ biʿahdi the covenant
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
ثَمَنًۭا thamanan (for) a price
قَلِيلًا ۚ qalīlan little
إِنَّمَا innamā Indeed, what
عِندَ ʿinda (is) with
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
هُوَ huwa it
خَيْرٌۭ khayrun (is) better
لَّكُمْ lakum for you
إِن in if
كُنتُمْ kuntum you were (to)
تَعْلَمُونَ taʿlamūna know

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.

(Ayah95) ➊ {وَ لَا تَشْتَرُوْا بِعَهْدِ اللّٰهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيْلًا :} In the above verses, emphasis was placed on adhering to mutual agreements; now it is stated that after believing, do not break the covenant made with Allah, meaning do not violate the Shariah out of greed for wealth (which includes breaking mutual agreements). Any wealth obtained against the Shariah becomes a cause of woe. (Muwaddih) By "a small price" it is not meant that you should take a higher price, rather it refers to worldly wealth, which is little, even if it is the whole world, as He said: «{ قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيْلٌ [ النساء : ۷۷ ] "Say, the enjoyment of this world is very little."

{ اِنَّمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ :} This {’’ اِنَّمَا ‘‘} is not a word of exclusivity but {’’اِنَّ مَا‘‘}, which according to the Uthmani script of the Mushaf is written together. By emphasizing the implied pronoun in the relative clause {’’مَا‘‘} with { ’’ هُوَ ‘‘ }, exclusivity is created in the speech, meaning that only the wealth obtained according to the Shariah is better for you, nothing else, as Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) said: «{ بَقِيَّتُ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِيْنَ [ ھود : ۸۶ ] "What is left by Allah is better for you, if you are believers." "What is with Allah" also includes Paradise, because it is everlasting, while the world is perishable.

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.

Do not sell the covenant of Allah for a small price [99], for what is with Allah is better for you, if only you knew.

[99]
No Matter How Many Benefits There Are, They Are Insignificant Compared to Fulfilling the Covenant:

The covenant made with Allah refers both to the Covenant of Alast and to every covenant in which Allah is invoked as a witness and guarantor, or in which His oath is taken. If, in exchange for breaking this covenant, you were to receive all the benefits, wealth, and riches of the world, they would still be little and insignificant compared to the lofty value of fulfilling the covenant. Therefore, instead of focusing on worldly benefits, you should keep your eyes on the reward of the Hereafter, which is far better than these benefits.