Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The sacred month is for the sacred month, and for the prohibited things, there is the Law of Equality (Qisâs). Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him. And fear Allâh, and know that Allâh is with Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلشَّهْرُal-shahruThe month
ٱلْحَرَامُl-ḥarāmu[the] sacred
بِٱلشَّهْرِbil-shahri(is) for the month
ٱلْحَرَامِl-ḥarāmi[the] sacred
وَٱلْحُرُمَـٰتُwal-ḥurumātuand for all the violations
قِصَاصٌۭ ۚqiṣāṣun(is) legal retribution
فَمَنِfamaniThen whoever
ٱعْتَدَىٰiʿ'tadātransgressed
عَلَيْكُمْʿalaykumupon you
فَٱعْتَدُوا۟fa-iʿ'tadūthen you transgress
عَلَيْهِʿalayhion him
بِمِثْلِbimith'liin (the) same manner
مَاmā(as)
ٱعْتَدَىٰiʿ'tadāhe transgressed
عَلَيْكُمْ ۚʿalaykumupon you
وَٱتَّقُوا۟wa-ittaqūAnd fear
ٱللَّهَl-lahaAllah
وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟wa-iʿ'lamūand know
أَنَّannathat
ٱللَّهَl-lahaAllah
مَعَmaʿa(is) with
ٱلْمُتَّقِينَl-mutaqīnathose who fear (Him)
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 194) When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set out for ‘Umrah in Dhu al-Qa‘dah, 6 AH, the disbelievers resisted and prevented him from performing ‘Umrah, but eventually a treaty was made and it was agreed that the Muslims would perform ‘Umrah the following year. This agreement is famous as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Then, when in the following year, 7 AH, the Muslims set out for ‘Umrah, they feared that fighting was prohibited in the sacred months and in the sanctuary of Makkah, but if the disbelievers broke their promise and prevented them from performing ‘Umrah, what should they do? Upon this, this verse was revealed. (Ibn Kathir) That is, (the observance of the sanctity of the sacred months by the disbelievers is to be met with the observance of their sanctity by you) if they do not respect the sacred months, then you also do not, and if they break their promise, then you also do not observe the sanctity of the sanctuary. (Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir) It should be noted that the sacred months are four: Dhu al-Qa‘dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Although retaliation is not called transgression, rather it is a right, but this is only a similarity in wording, as the word { ”فَمَنِاعْتَدٰى“ } is used in response to {”فَاعْتَدُوْا“}, just as it is said: «وَجَزٰٓؤُاسَيِّئَةٍسَيِّئَةٌمِّثْلُهَا »[الشوریٰ : ۴۰ ] “And the recompense of an evil is an evil like it.”
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.
194. 1. In 6 Hijri, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went with fourteen hundred companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) for Umrah, but the disbelievers of Makkah did not allow them to enter Makkah. It was agreed that the following year, the Muslims would be able to come to Makkah for Umrah for three days. This was a month which is among the sacred months. When, according to the agreement, they set out for Umrah in the same month the following year, Allah Almighty revealed these verses. The meaning is that if this time too, the disbelievers of Makkah violate the sanctity of the month (as they did the previous year) and prevent you from entering Makkah, then you too may disregard its sanctity and confront them fully. In observing sanctities, there is reciprocity: if they respect the sanctity, then you should also; otherwise, you too may disregard the sanctity and teach the disbelievers a lesson (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.
194. The sacred month is to be requited with the sacred month, and for all sacred things, there is the law of equality [257]. So if anyone transgresses against you, then transgress against him to the extent that he transgressed against you. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
[257] Fighting in the Sacred Months:
Since the time of Prophet Ibrahim ؑ, it had been the custom in Arabia that the months of Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram were declared sacred due to the pilgrims performing Hajj, and among them, the month of Rajab was specified for those performing 'Umrah, so that those performing Hajj and 'Umrah could travel in safety and security. Fighting and conflict were also prohibited in these months. Since this was a good custom, Islam maintained it. The intent of this verse is that if the disbelievers fight you in these months, then you are also permitted to fight them, otherwise not. However, keep in mind that you may only retaliate to the extent of the aggression committed against you, not more than that, and in this matter, fear Allah.
