Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Nay, it (the Fire or the Day of Resurrection) will come upon them all of a sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert it nor will they get respite.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
بَلْbalNay
تَأْتِيهِمtatīhimit will come to them
بَغْتَةًۭbaghtatanunexpectedly
فَتَبْهَتُهُمْfatabhatuhumand bewilder them
فَلَاfalāthen not
يَسْتَطِيعُونَyastaṭīʿūnathey will be able
رَدَّهَاraddahāto repel it
وَلَاwalāand not
هُمْhumthey
يُنظَرُونَyunẓarūnawill be given respite
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 40) ➊ {بَلْتَاْتِيْهِمْبَغْتَةً … :} "Rather, it will come upon them suddenly." The pronoun in {’’ تَاْتِيْهِمْ ‘‘} refers to the Day of Resurrection, because the surrounding of the Fire from all sides will occur on the Day of Resurrection. The reason for its sudden arrival is that before its coming, there is no way to know its time, nor has Allah told anyone about it. See Surah Ta Ha (15), Al-A'raf (187), and An-Nazi'at (42 to 46). Nor will the Resurrection come gradually so that its arrival becomes known. (Biqai) Rather, it will come suddenly, and for this reason, one of its names is {’’ اَلسَّاعَةُ ‘‘}, because it will be established in a single moment (hour). Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ وَلَتَقُوْمَنَّالسَّاعَةُوَقَدْنَشَرَالرَّجُلَانِثَوْبَهُمَافَلاَيَتَبَايَعَانِهٖوَلَايَطْوِيَانِهٖوَلَتَقُوْمَنَّالسَّاعَةُوَقَدِانْصَرَفَالرَّجُلُبِلَبَنِلِقْحَتِهٖفَلَايَطْعَمُهٗوَلَتَقُوْمَنَّالسَّاعَةُوَهُوَيَلِيْطُحَوْضَهٗفَلَايَسْقِيْفِيْهِوَلَتَقُوْمَنَّالسَّاعَةُوَقَدْرَفَعَأَحَدُكُمْأُكْلَتَهُإِلٰیفِيْهِفَلَايَطْعَمُهَا ][ بخاري، الرقاق، بابٌ : ۶۵۰۶۔ مسلم : ۲۹۵۴ ] "The Resurrection will be established while two men have spread out their garment, but they will neither be able to buy or sell it nor fold it up; and the Resurrection will be established while a man has brought the milk of his milking animal, but he will not drink it; and the Resurrection will be established while a man is plastering his tank, but he will not water his animals from it; and the Resurrection will be established while a man has raised a morsel to his mouth, but he will not eat it."
➋ { فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ : ’’ بَهَتَيَبْهَتُبَهْتًا ‘‘} (F, ‘A, N, K) To seize suddenly, to leave speechless, to astonish. (Qamus) That is, it will stupefy them (leave them astonished). {’’ فَلَايَسْتَطِيْعُوْنَرَدَّهَا ‘‘} Because they will neither be able to avert it nor be patient over it. {’’ وَلَاهُمْيُنْظَرُوْنَ ‘‘} And nor will they be given any respite to rest for even a moment, because the period of respite will have already ended before that. (Qasimi)
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.
40. 1. That is, nothing will occur to them as to what they should do? 40. 2. That they should make arrangements for repentance and apology.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).