Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 97
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 In { حَيٰوةً طَيِّبَةً:}, a pure life includes lawful sustenance, contentment (being happy with whatever condition Allah has kept one in), true honor, peace and tranquility, richness of heart, Allah’s love, and the sweetness of faith—all these things are included, which are attained through faith and righteous deeds. Those deprived of faith or righteous deeds, or both, never attain these things. The meaning is that through faith and righteous deeds, not only the life of the Hereafter but also the worldly life will pass with great comfort and peace. Mahaimi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that such a person finds such pleasure in his deeds in this world that is far greater than the pleasure of wealth and status, because Allah makes him content with his destiny and grants him contentment, as a result of which the greed to hoard and increase wealth decreases. The life of a disbeliever, despite wealth and status, is not pleasant, because both his greed and the fear of losing his wealth keep increasing. The people of faith will be given a much better reward in the Hereafter in return. Thus, it will not be said to them: «{اَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبٰتِكُمْ فِيْ حَيَاتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا }» [ الأحقاف : ۲۰ ] “You have already received the reward for your good deeds in your worldly life.” Rather, even their smallest deeds will be completed and joined with the highest ones.
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.
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.
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How is a Pure Life Attained?
Three points are understood from this verse. First, although due to the division of labor, man has superiority over woman in this world, in terms of reward in the Hereafter, the status of both is equal. There, the only criterion will be faith and righteous deeds. If, according to this criterion, a woman surpasses a man, then she can certainly be granted a better rank than men. Second, by adopting faith and righteous deeds, a believer’s worldly life is also improved, as well as the Hereafter. And the common notion that a faithful, honest, and upright person will surely be rewarded in the Hereafter but will always remain at a loss in this world is completely wrong. In fact, those who are upright, true to their word, steadfast in their promises, and sincere in their intentions, the credibility, true honor, and inner peace they attain compared to the immoral, promise-breakers, and self-interested people, can never be attained by those who are insincere, deceitful, and untrustworthy. Moreover, even in worldly terms, upright people ultimately remain at an advantage, and this is the clear meaning of “hayaatan tayyibah” (pure life). Third, the rank that such faithful and righteous people will receive in the Hereafter will be determined according to their better deeds. For example, if a person has performed all kinds of small and great good deeds in his life, he will be granted that high status for which he is deserving according to his greatest good deed.
