Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnaThose who
إِذَآidhāwhen
أَصَـٰبَتْهُمaṣābathumstrikes them
مُّصِيبَةٌۭmuṣībatuna misfortune
قَالُوٓا۟qālūthey say
إِنَّاinnāIndeed, we
لِلَّهِlillahibelong to Allah
وَإِنَّآwa-innāand indeed we
إِلَيْهِilayhitowards Him
رَٰجِعُونَrājiʿūnawill return
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.
The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.
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.
The explanation of this verse has been given along with the previous verse.
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.
156. Who, when a calamity befalls them, say immediately: "Indeed, we belong to Allah [196], and indeed to Him we shall return."
[196] Saying «انالله وانا اليه رجعون» at the Time of Calamity:
Those who do not merely utter these words with their tongues, but also truly believe in their hearts that since we belong to Allah alone, therefore, whatever of ours is sacrificed in the way of Allah has reached its rightful place, and they do not express any kind of restlessness or anxiety, nor do they utter any words of ingratitude. Thus, when the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ (the son of Zainabؓ) passed away, the Prophet ﷺ said to his daughter: Say this: «أَنَّلِلَّهِمَاأَخَذَوَلَهُمَاأَعْطَى،وَكُلُّشَيْءٍعِنْدَهُبِأَجَلٍمُسَمًّى،فَمُرْهَافَلْتَصْبِرْوَلْتَحْتَسِبْ» “What He has taken belonged to Allah, and what He has given also belongs to Allah. Everything has an appointed time with Him. Therefore, you should be patient and hope for reward from Him.” [بخاري، كتاب المرضيٰ۔ باب عيادة الصبيان و كتاب الجنائز مسلم كتاب الجنائز، باب البكاء على الميت] 157. Upon such people, blessings and mercy from their Lord descend, and such are the rightly guided.