سُوْرَةُ لُقْمَانَ

Surah Luqman (31) — Ayah 3

Luqman · Meccan · Juz 21 · Page 411

هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿3﴾
A guide and a mercy for the Muhsinûn (good-doers).
هُدًۭى hudan A guidance
وَرَحْمَةًۭ waraḥmatan and a mercy
لِّلْمُحْسِنِينَ lil'muḥ'sinīna for the good-doers

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 3 to 5) {هُدًى وَّ رَحْمَةً لِّلْمُحْسِنِيْنَ …:} For the explanation of these verses, see the exegesis of Surah Al-Baqarah, verses (2 to 5).

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.

3-1. Muhsineen is the plural of Muhsin. Its first meaning is one who does ihsan (does good) — with parents, relatives, the deserving, and the needy. The second meaning is one who does good deeds, that is, one who avoids evil and is righteous. The third meaning is one who worships Allah with utmost sincerity, humility, and devotion. As mentioned in the Hadith of Jibreel: "an ta‘bud Allah ka’annaka taraahu." The Quran, although it is a source of guidance and mercy for all the worlds, the real benefit from it is only taken by the Muhsineen and the Muttaqeen, therefore it is mentioned in this way here.

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.

3. A guidance and mercy for those who do good [1].

[1] At some places, this attribute of the Quran and its verses has been mentioned that it is guidance and mercy for all people. At the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah, it is stated that it is guidance for the God-fearing, and at this place, it is stated that it is guidance for the doers of good. So, there is no contradiction in these verses. The way to reconcile them is that, in reality, the Quran is a book of guidance for such people, that is, for all mankind and jinn, but only those people can benefit from its guidance who themselves are seekers of guidance and are God-fearing. The deniers of this book and the wicked cannot benefit from it. However, if they give up their stubbornness, they too can attain guidance.
[2]
In What Sense is the Quran a Mercy?

And the verses of the Quran are a mercy in the sense that the Quran teaches a way of life which, on one hand, guarantees success in the Hereafter, and on the other hand, shows such balanced and proportionate paths for every aspect of worldly life that neither the rights of the individual are violated nor those of society, and it creates a beautiful harmony between them. From household management, that is, family life, to governance, inter-state relations, and foreign policy, it presents such a moderate path that, even if human intellect wandered for thousands of years, it could not have found such balanced ways. This is the utmost mercy and kindness of Allah that He, through revelation, has shown people such paths and methods free of cost.