سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 86

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 1 · Page 13

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ﴿86﴾
Those are they who have bought the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter. Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ulāika Those
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna (are) the ones who
ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ish'tarawū bought
ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ l-ḥayata the life
ٱلدُّنْيَا l-dun'yā (of) the world
بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ bil-ākhirati for the Hereafter
فَلَا falā so not
يُخَفَّفُ yukhaffafu will be lightened
عَنْهُمُ ʿanhumu for them
ٱلْعَذَابُ l-ʿadhābu the punishment
وَلَا walā and not
هُمْ hum they
يُنصَرُونَ yunṣarūna will be helped

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.

86. 1. This is the punishment being stated for accepting some command of the Shariah and ignoring others. Its punishment in this world is disgrace and humiliation instead of honor and elevation (which is the result of acting upon the complete Shariah), and in the Hereafter, instead of eternal blessings, there is severe punishment. From this, it is understood that the obedience accepted by Allah is that which is complete; accepting or acting upon some matters has no significance in the sight of Allah. This verse is also inviting us Muslims to reflect whether the reason for the disgrace and humiliation of Muslims is the same conduct that has been mentioned in these verses regarding the Jews.

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.

86. These are the ones who have bought the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter, so their punishment [99] will not be lightened for them, nor will they be helped.

[99] That is, whatever breaches of covenant the Jews committed against the Muslims, they did so for a few days of worldly benefits and paid no heed to the punishment of the Hereafter. Also, from this verse, the belief of those people is proven wrong who say that in the Hereafter, the punishment of Hell will become so light that the inhabitants of Hell will feel no pain, because they will become accustomed to it.