سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 154

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 2 · Page 24

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وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتٌۢ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ ﴿154﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

And say not of those who are killed in the Way of Allâh, "They are dead." Nay, they are living, but you perceive (it) not.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

وَلَا walā And (do) not
تَقُولُوا۟ taqūlū say
لِمَن liman for (the ones) who
يُقْتَلُ yuq'talu are slain
فِى fī in
سَبِيلِ sabīli (the) way
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
أَمْوَٰتٌۢ ۚ amwātun (They are) dead
بَلْ bal Nay
أَحْيَآءٌۭ aḥyāon (they are) alive
وَلَـٰكِن walākin [and] but
لَّا lā you (do) not
تَشْعُرُونَ tashʿurūna perceive

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.

(Ayah 154) ➊ The greatest hardship in jihad is the loss of life; patience for this is enjoined in such a way that those who are killed in the way of Allah are not to be called dead, rather they are alive, but you do not understand this life. In Al-Imran (169), the comforts and luxuries of this life of the martyrs are mentioned. It is understood that this life is not worldly life, nor can we comprehend it. It is established from the Qur’an and Hadith that after death, every person attains life in Barzakh (the grave). (See Mu’min: 11, 46. Nuh: 25. Ibrahim: 27) However, the soul of the believer is in comfort and the soul of the disbeliever is in torment. According to the ahadith, a door to Paradise or Hell is opened for them right in the grave. This life is attained by the Prophets in the most perfect state, but to honor the martyrs, the Qur’an has specifically called them {’’ اَحْيَآءٌ‘‘}, so that no one may say that so-and-so was killed and thus deprived of the comforts and luxuries of life.

➋ {اَمْوَاتٌ:} is in the nominative because its subject {’’هُمْ‘‘} is omitted, similarly the subject of {’’ اَحْيَآءٌ‘‘} is also omitted. In Surah Al-Imran (169), { ”اَمْوَاتًا“ } is in the accusative because it is the object of {”وَ لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ“}.

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.

154. 1. Not calling the martyrs dead is for their honor and respect; this is the life of Barzakh, which we are unable to comprehend. This life is attained in high ranks by prophets and believers, and is even attained by disbelievers. The soul of the martyr, and in some narrations the soul of the believer as well, roams in Paradise like a bird wherever it wishes. See (ھٰٓاَنْتُمْ اُولَاۗءِ تُحِبُّوْنَھُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّوْنَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ بالْكِتٰبِ كُلِّھٖ ۚوَاِذَا لَقُوْكُمْ قَالُوْٓا اٰمَنَّا ۑ وَاِذَا خَلَوْا عَضُّوْا عَلَيْكُمُ الْاَنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۭ قُلْ مُوْتُوْا بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۭ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِذَات الصُّدُوْرِ 119؁) 3:119 (Ibn Kathir)

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.

154. And do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah that they are dead. [194] Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive [194.1] the nature of their life.

[194] Because the word “death” and its concept have a discouraging effect on the human mind, and there is a fear that the spirit of striving in the way of Allah (jihad fi sabilillah) among people may cool down. Therefore, it has been forbidden to call the martyrs dead. Besides, it is an established fact that the death of a martyr becomes the cause of the nation’s life, and the martyr actually attains eternal life, and from this, the spirit of bravery is also kept alive.
[194۔ 1]
The Life of the Martyrs:

It is mentioned in authentic ahadith that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The souls of the martyrs are in the bodies of green birds, and for them, there are lanterns hanging from the Throne. These souls roam freely in Paradise wherever they wish, and then return to those lanterns.” [مسلم، كتاب الامارة باب فى بيان ان ارواح الشهداء فى الجنة وانهم احياء عند ربهم يرزقون نيز ديكهئے: 3: 129]
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