Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And indeed We did send Messengers before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) to their own peoples. They came to them with clear proofs, then, We took vengeance on those who committed crimes (disbelief, setting partners in worship with Allâh, sins); and (as for) the believers, it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْwalaqadAnd verily
أَرْسَلْنَاarsalnāWe sent
مِنminbefore you
قَبْلِكَqablikabefore you
رُسُلًاrusulanMessengers
إِلَىٰilāto
قَوْمِهِمْqawmihimtheir people
فَجَآءُوهُمfajāūhumand they came to them
بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِbil-bayinātiwith clear proofs
فَٱنتَقَمْنَاfa-intaqamnāthen We took retribution
مِنَminafrom
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose who
أَجْرَمُوا۟ ۖajramūcommitted crimes
وَكَانَwakānaAnd it was
حَقًّاḥaqqanincumbent
عَلَيْنَاʿalaynāupon Us
نَصْرُnaṣru(to) help
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَl-mu'minīnathe believers
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 47) {وَلَقَدْاَرْسَلْنَامِنْقَبْلِكَرُسُلًا … :} Even after hearing the proofs of Allah’s oneness and the establishment of the Resurrection, the disbelievers did not believe and persisted in their stubbornness. So, to console His Messenger, Allah said that you are not the first person to be denied; rather, before you, We sent many messengers who came to their nations with clear signs, which were both the verses of divine revelation and the miracles given to the prophets. Yet the disbelievers persisted in their crimes, so We took vengeance on those criminals and granted victory to the believers, and helping the believers has always been incumbent upon Us. (كَانَ is for continuity) In {’’ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ ‘‘}, the Prophet, his companions, and all believers are included.
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.
47-1 That is, O Muhammad ﷺ, just as We sent you as a Messenger to your people, in the same way, before you, Messengers were sent to their peoples. They were accompanied by proofs and miracles, but their peoples denied them and did not believe in them. Ultimately, for this crime of denial and committing sins, We made them the target of Our punishment, and We supported and helped the believers, which is incumbent upon Us. This is, in a way, a consolation for the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims who believe in him, that there is no need to be disheartened by the attitude of denial from the disbelievers and polytheists. This is not something new. Every Prophet’s people have treated him in the same way. Also, it is a warning to the disbelievers that if they do not believe, their fate will be the same as that of the previous peoples. Because, in the end, Allah’s help is only for the believers, which includes the Prophet and all those who believe in him. "حقا" is the predicate which is brought forward, and "نصر المومنین" is its subject.
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.
And indeed, before you, We sent messengers to their people, and they came to them with clear proofs [55]. Then We took vengeance upon those who were criminals, and it was incumbent upon Us to help the believers.
[55] What were those clear proofs? They were the Book of Allah, the pure character of the Messengers themselves, which Allah presented as their Prophethood. Then those Prophets established such a society that became a living, practical example of the divine commands. In the Book of Allah, there was an invitation to reflect upon the signs of Allah scattered throughout the universe. The verses of the Book affirmed the cosmic signs, and the cosmic signs affirmed the verses of the Book. These two types of signs mutually affirmed and confirmed each other. Yet, people did not believe in this Prophet and became arrogant. Instead, they began to oppress the believers. Then, when their rebellion increased, We saved the believers, and saving them was indeed Our responsibility. And We destroyed the criminal people.
