سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 205

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 2 · Page 32

وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ ٱلْحَرْثَ وَٱلنَّسْلَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْفَسَادَ ﴿205﴾
And when he turns away (from you "O Muhammad "صلى الله عليه وسلم"), his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allâh likes not mischief.
وَإِذَا wa-idhā And when
تَوَلَّىٰ tawallā he turns away
سَعَىٰ saʿā he strives
فِى in
ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the earth
لِيُفْسِدَ liyuf'sida to spread corruption
فِيهَا fīhā [in it]
وَيُهْلِكَ wayuh'lika and destroys
ٱلْحَرْثَ l-ḥartha the crops
وَٱلنَّسْلَ ۗ wal-nasla and progeny
وَٱللَّهُ wal-lahu And Allah
لَا (does) not
يُحِبُّ yuḥibbu love
ٱلْفَسَادَ l-fasāda [the] corruption

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

205. And when he turns away (after making such smooth talk) [273], all his effort is to spread corruption in the land and destroy crops and offspring (of mankind), even though Allah does not like corruption (to which he was calling Allah as witness).

[273] Akhnas bin Shuraiq was a hypocrite who was eloquent, articulate, and sweet-spoken. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ found his flattering words pleasing. He would swear by Allah at every turn and repeatedly call Allah to witness, claiming that he was a true Muslim and a sincere friend of the Muslims. Allah Almighty, informing the Messenger of Allah ﷺ of the true situation, said not to be taken in by his words, for he is a quarrelsome and contentious person. And so it happened: he turned away from Islam and returned to Makkah. On the way, he burned the fields of the Muslims he saw and killed any animals he came across.