سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 103

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 1 · Page 16

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَمَثُوبَةٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ ۖ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿103﴾
And if they had believed, and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allâh, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!
وَلَوْ walaw And if
أَنَّهُمْ annahum [that] they
ءَامَنُوا۟ āmanū (had) believed
وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ wa-ittaqaw and feared (Allah)
لَمَثُوبَةٌۭ lamathūbatun surely (the) reward
مِّنْ min (of)
عِندِ ʿindi from
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
خَيْرٌۭ ۖ khayrun (would have been) better
لَّوْ law if
كَانُوا۟ kānū they were
يَعْلَمُونَ yaʿlamūna (to) 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.

(Ayah 103) ➊ In {لَمَثُوْبَةٌ:}, the tanween is for diminution, therefore it is translated as "a little reward."
➋ In the previous verse it is: «وَ لَقَدْ عَلِمُوْا » meaning the Jews knew, here it is stated: «{ لَوْ كَانُوْا يَعْلَمُوْنَ "If only they had known." From this it is understood that one who does not act upon knowledge is, in reality, not a scholar at all.

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.

103. And if they had believed and been mindful of Allah, the reward from Allah would have been far better, if only they [122] knew.

[122]
A Scholar Without Practice is Ignorant:

In the first verse, it is stated that "the Jews had knowledge of this," and in this verse, it is stated, "If only they had known." From this, it is understood that if a scholar acts against his knowledge and commits sinful deeds, then in reality, he is not a scholar but an ignorant person. Therefore, he is not deserving of being called a scholar.