Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allâh, making their Faith pure for Him only: but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.
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 65) {فَاِذَارَكِبُوْافِيالْفُلْكِدَعَوُااللّٰهَ … :} In the previous verses, proof was established against the polytheists of Makkah with their own admission that Allah alone is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who subjugates the sun and the moon, and the One who sends down water from the sky to revive the dead earth. That is, after accepting this, what justification is there for associating partners with Him? In this verse, proof is established against them by pointing out that when their ships are caught in a storm during a sea journey, compelled by the monotheism hidden in their nature, they make their worship sincere for Allah alone and call upon Him exclusively. Then, when Allah saves them from the storm and brings them to land, they begin to commit shirk against their own words. Tell me, what could be more ungrateful than this: that all their necessities of life are provided by Allah, and when their lives are at stake, it is Allah who delivers them from distress, but when times are comfortable, not only do they forget Allah, but they also begin to associate others in His authority? This was the condition of the polytheists in the Prophetic era; the polytheist Muslims of today are even worse, for even in times of distress they call upon others besides Allah and chant their slogans. This is not only the state of religious polytheists, but even great atheists, when they become hopeless from all sides in difficulty, call upon that One Being, and when they are saved, they again deny the Owner. Why is there such a great contradiction? For further details, see Surah Al-An'am (63, 64), Yunus (22, 23), Bani Isra'il (67), and Luqman (32).
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.
65-1. The contradiction of the polytheists has also been mentioned in several places in the Noble Quran. This hypocrisy was understood by Hazrat Ikrimah, due to which he was granted the ability to accept Islam. It is narrated about him that after the conquest of Makkah, he fled from Makkah to escape the grasp of the Prophet ﷺ. He boarded a ship to go to Abyssinia, but the ship got caught in a whirlpool. The people on board said to each other, "Pray to the Lord with complete sincerity, for here there is no savior except Him." Upon hearing this, Hazrat Ikrimah said, "If in the sea no one except Him can save, then on land as well, no one except Him can save." At that very moment, he made a covenant with Allah that if he reached the shore safely, he would pledge allegiance at the hand of Muhammad ﷺ, meaning he would become a Muslim. Thus, after being saved from there, he accepted Islam.
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).
