سُوْرَةُ سَبَاٍ

Surah Saba (34) — Ayah 18

Sheba · Meccan · Juz 22 · Page 430

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وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَـٰهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيْرَ ۖ سِيرُوا۟ فِيهَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ ﴿18﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

And We placed, between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stages (of journey) between them easy (saying): "Travel in them safely both by night and day."

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

وَجَعَلْنَا wajaʿalnā And We made
بَيْنَهُمْ baynahum between them
وَبَيْنَ wabayna and between
ٱلْقُرَى l-qurā the towns
ٱلَّتِى allatī which
بَـٰرَكْنَا bāraknā We had blessed
فِيهَا fīhā in it
قُرًۭى quran towns
ظَـٰهِرَةًۭ ẓāhiratan visible
وَقَدَّرْنَا waqaddarnā And We determined
فِيهَا fīhā between them
ٱلسَّيْرَ ۖ l-sayra the journey
سِيرُوا۟ sīrū Travel
فِيهَا fīhā between them
لَيَالِىَ layāliya (by) night
وَأَيَّامًا wa-ayyāman and (by) day
ءَامِنِينَ āminīna safely

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 18) ➊ {وَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَ بَيْنَ الْقُرَى الَّتِيْ بٰرَكْنَا فِيْهَا … :} The blessed towns refer to the region of Sham (Greater Syria). In the Noble Qur’an, the land of Sham is often called the blessed land. See Surah Al-A’raf (137), Bani Isra’il (1), and Surah Al-Anbiya (71 and 81). That is, from Yemen to Sham, there were continuous settlements along the roadside, built on hills or elevated places, and so close to each other that one settlement could be seen from the other. They were populated in such a way and proportion that travelers would find opportunities for food, water, and take a midday nap at every stop. Because the settlements were close and visible to each other, travelers did not feel anxious, nor was there any fear of thieves or robbers, nor the hardship of carrying provisions along the way.

➋ { سِيْرُوْا فِيْهَا لَيَالِيَ وَ اَيَّامًا اٰمِنِيْنَ :} That is, you may travel at any hour of the day or night; there is no fear for life or property, nor any need to carry travel provisions for the journey.

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.

18. 1. By the blessed towns are meant the towns of Syria, that is, We had settled towns along the road between the land of Saba (Yemen) and Syria. Some have taken the meaning of ظاھرۃ as متواصلۃ, meaning connected and continuous. The commentators have stated the number of these towns as 4,700. This was their trade route which was continuously inhabited, due to which, firstly, there was no need to carry provisions for eating, drinking, and take a midday naping, and secondly, the fear of looting and bloodshed that arises due to desolation did not exist.

18. 2. That is, the distance from one settlement to another was fixed and known, and according to that, they could easily complete their journey. For example, if they started their journey in the morning, by noon they would reach a settlement or village. There, they would eat, drink, and take a midday nap, and then resume their journey, reaching another settlement by night.

18. 3. This describes being safe from all kinds of dangers and being free from the hardship of carrying provisions, that at whatever hour of the day or night you wish to travel, do so—there is no fear for life or property, nor is there any need to carry travel provisions for the journey.

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.

18. And We had placed between them and the towns which We had blessed, many towns within sight of each other, and We had set measured stages of journey between them, (saying,) "Travel between them by night and day in safety [29]."

[29]
Trade System:

Their second reason for progress and prosperity was their trade system. Their trade caravans would travel from their region (present-day Yemen) all the way to Syria, and it is this very land of Syria which Allah Almighty has mentioned in the Noble Quran at several places with the words, "a land which We have blessed." In those days, this was a journey of four months, and this trade route has been described by Allah Almighty with the words "Imam Mubeen." It was along this very trade route that the trade caravans of the Quraysh would travel from Makkah to Syria. This trade route was such that there were settlements along the road and close to each other, where travelers could find food and water. When a person would reach one town, the next town would already be visible ahead (and this is the meaning of ﴿قريً ظَاهِرَةً﴾). A great advantage of this route was that whenever someone wanted to rest, he could do so, and the next stop for rest would be close by. Furthermore, since there was frequent movement along this route, there was not as much danger of robbery as there was in other regions of Arabia. In this respect, their trade journey was much easier and more peaceful compared to other areas.
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