سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ

Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 11

The Ant · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 377

إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿11﴾
"Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good; then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
إِلَّا illā Except
مَن man who
ظَلَمَ ẓalama wrongs
ثُمَّ thumma then
بَدَّلَ baddala substitutes
حُسْنًۢا ḥus'nan good
بَعْدَ baʿda after
سُوٓءٍۢ sūin evil
فَإِنِّى fa-innī then indeed, I Am
غَفُورٌۭ ghafūrun Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭ raḥīmun Most Merciful

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 11) {اِلَّا مَنْ ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا …:} That is, there can be only one reason to fear in My presence: if a person has indeed committed injustice, and it is the wrongdoers who should be afraid. But if a person repents after wrongdoing, adopts the path of righteousness after evil deeds, and changes his way of conduct, then I forgive him. After that, there is no reason to fear. Most likely, this refers to the incident of Musa (peace be upon him) accidentally killing the Copt, which he himself called an injustice: «{ رَبِّ اِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ [ القصص : ۱۶ ] "O my Lord! Indeed, I have wronged myself, so forgive me." And Allah Almighty forgave him, as He said: «{ فَغَفَرَ لَهٗ [ القصص : ۱۶ ] "So He forgave him." Now again, this forgiveness is being referenced, that when I have already forgiven you, then what need is there for you to be afraid?

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.

11-1. That is, the oppressor should be afraid that Allah Almighty might seize him.

11-2. That is, I also accept the repentance of the oppressor.

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.

11. Only he who has done wrong is afraid. But if he changes evil with good [11] after wrongdoing, then surely I am Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[11]
The Staff of Musa ؑ, the Shining Hand, and Other Miracles:

Yes, there can be only one reason to fear in My presence: if a person has indeed committed injustice. And the unjust truly ought to fear, but if a person repents after wrongdoing, adopts the path of righteousness after evil deeds, and changes his conduct altogether, then I forgive him. Most likely, this verse refers to an incident from the earlier life of Musa ؑ, when he unintentionally killed a Copt. Then he fled from there and came to Madyan to Prophet Shu‘ayb. Allah Almighty, by saying ﴿فَإِنِّي غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾, also gave the glad tidings of forgiveness for that mistake.