سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 161

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 2 · Page 24

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿161﴾
Verily, those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers, it is they on whom is the Curse of Allâh and of the angels and of mankind, combined.
إِنَّ inna Indeed
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieve[d]
وَمَاتُوا۟ wamātū and die[d]
وَهُمْ wahum while they
كُفَّارٌ kuffārun (were) disbelievers
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ulāika those
عَلَيْهِمْ ʿalayhim on them
لَعْنَةُ laʿnatu (is the) curse
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ wal-malāikati and the Angels
وَٱلنَّاسِ wal-nāsi and the mankind
أَجْمَعِينَ ajmaʿīna all together

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 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.

161. 1. From this it is understood that it is permissible to curse those about whom there is certain knowledge that they died in a state of disbelief, but it is not permissible to curse any sinful Muslim, no matter how great his sin. Because it is possible that before dying he repented, or Allah, due to his other good deeds, forgave his mistakes. This is something we cannot know. However, regarding those sins for which the word "curse" has been mentioned, it can be said about their perpetrators that they are doing cursed acts; if they do not repent from them, then they may be declared accursed in the sight of Allah.

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.

161. Indeed, those who disbelieve [200] and die while they are disbelievers—upon them is the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people.

The meaning of kufr is to deny (not to have faith), to conceal, and also to be ungrateful. Here, according to the context, it is being used in all these meanings.