Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Thus have We caused it (the denial of the Qur’ân) to enter the hearts of the Mûjrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
كَذَٰلِكَkadhālikaThus
سَلَكْنَـٰهُsalaknāhuWe have inserted it
فِىfīinto
قُلُوبِqulūbi(the) hearts
ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَl-muj'rimīna(of) the criminals
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.
Threading, inserting a thread into a needle, inserting something into another. In {’’ سَلَكْنٰهُ ‘‘}, the pronoun in {’’هٗ‘‘} refers back to the denial and rejection mentioned in the previous verse {’’ مَّاكَانُوْابِهٖمُؤْمِنِيْنَ ‘‘}, meaning that We have inserted this disbelief into the hearts of these criminals as a punishment for their crimes, just as a thread is inserted into a needle. Now these people will not believe until they see {’’عذاب اليم‘‘}. In this too, there is consolation for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that these people were never going to believe, so why should you grieve over them? According to the context of the verse, this meaning is more likely.
Some commentators have considered the pronoun in {’’هُ‘‘ } in {’’ سَلَكْنٰهُ ‘‘} to refer to the Quran. They have explained it as: the truth of the Quran has been instilled in their hearts, but their stubbornness is such that... (Ashraf al-Hawashi). Some, considering its reference to the Quran, have explained it as follows: "That is, unlike the hearts of the people of truth, it does not enter their hearts as a comfort to the soul and a healing for the heart, but rather passes through like a hot iron rod, so that they become agitated, and instead of pondering its contents, they begin to seek ways to refute it." (Tafheem al-Quran)
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.
20-1. That is, in سَلَکْنَاہ, the pronoun refers to disbelief, denial, rejection, and stubbornness.
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.
200. Thus We have placed (the habit of making baseless objections) in the hearts of the criminals [118].
[118] One meaning is the same as is clear from the translation and the above footnote, and in terms of the context, this seems to be the preferred meaning. However, some commentators have referred the pronoun "hu" in "salaknahu" back to the Quran. In this sense, it would mean that We have inserted the Quran into the hearts of these criminals, and they know well that this cannot be the word of any human. But due to their stubbornness and obstinacy, they are determined to deny it at all costs.