Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 145
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 {وَ مَاۤ اَنْتَ بِتَابِعٍ قِبْلَتَهُمْ: } And you, due to being bound by divine revelation, cannot adopt their qiblah. In {”بِتَابِعٍ“}, the use of "bā’" emphasizes the negation, so the translation is: "And by no means…"
➌ {وَ مَا بَعْضُهُمْ بِتَابِعٍ:} And their mutual enmity is such that they do not like each other's qiblah. The Jews face the rock of Bayt al-Maqdis, and the Christians face the eastern side of Bayt al-Maqdis. (Qurtubi)
➍ {وَ لَىِٕنِ اتَّبَعْتَ اَهْوَآءَهُمْ …:} { ”اَهْوَاءٌ“ } is the plural of { ”هَوًي“ }, which means desire of the self. Following the Qur’an and Sunnah is following «مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ», that is, the knowledge that comes from Allah Almighty; whatever else is added to the religion is following human desires, whether it comes from the Jews and Christians, or from Hindus and Sikhs, or Muslims invent it themselves—all of it is following desires. That is why the scholars of Islam generally call the people of innovation "Ahl al-Ahwa’" (people of desires). The author of al-Kashshaf has mentioned that in this verse, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is emphatically forbidden from following the desires of these people for several reasons. The author of al-Kashshaf has detailed this emphasis with ten reasons. See also Tafsir Ibn ‘Ashur.
Although in this verse the address is to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the intended audience is the entire ummah; both scholars and laypeople are included, because if the Prophet (peace be upon him) were to do so, it would be said to him: «اِنَّكَ اِذًا لَّمِنَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ », so the followers would all the more be among the wrongdoers for doing so. Then what will be the state of those scholars who, instead of forbidding, participate in third-day, seventh-day, fortieth-day rituals, Mawlid, Ta‘ziyah, ‘Urs, and Qawwali, perform self-invented practices, in some of which they face the Qutb and honor it like the qiblah, and consider these acts as meritorious!
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.
145. 2 Because you ﷺ are bound by divine revelation, until you ﷺ receive such a command from Allah, how can you adopt their qiblah?
145. 3 The qiblah of the Jews is Bayt al-Maqdis and the Christians' is the eastern side of Bayt al-Maqdis. When even these two groups of the People of the Book are not united on one qiblah, then why do they expect Muslims to conform to them in this matter?
145. 4 This warning has already been mentioned before; the purpose is to alert the ummah that following the people of innovation despite having knowledge of the Qur'an and Hadith is oppression and misguidance.
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.
[180] This is because their dispute is not based on any evidence, but merely on jealousy and enmity. That is, even if you show them this matter from their own books, they still will not accept it.
[181]
The Disagreement of the People of the Book Regarding the Qiblah:
That is, even the People of the Book have different Qiblahs. The Qiblah of the Jews is the rock of Bayt al-Maqdis. (Bayt al-Maqdis was built by Solomon ؑ thirteen hundred years after Abraham ؑ), and the Qiblah of the Christians is the eastern side of Bayt al-Maqdis, where the spirit was breathed into Jesus ؑ. So when these people themselves are not united upon a single Qiblah, how can they agree with you, or which of their Qiblahs would you follow?
[182] As a Messenger, it is not your ﷺ duty to go around pleasing people or to make compromises on the principle of give and take. Your ﷺ duty is to strictly adhere to the knowledge We have given you, and the address of being unjust is actually directed at the Ummah. How could a Messenger ignore divine revelation? The Ummah is being warned that the command of Allah which you receive through the Messenger, you must have complete faith in it and act accordingly, and if you try to please the Jews, you will be counted among the unjust.
