Surah Yaseen (36) — Ayah 47
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ This statement of the polytheists is merely obstinacy, because they themselves well knew that helping the poor is a very good deed. As for the excuse of Allah’s will, it is only to hide their own miserliness, otherwise Allah has made this world for the very purpose of testing; both poverty and wealth are trials, the trial of the poor is with patience and the trial of the rich is by spending in the way of Allah. These people take refuge in Allah’s will only as long as they themselves are the wrongdoers. When someone else is the wrongdoer and their own rights are being violated, they never take refuge in Allah’s will. For example, if a robber snatches their wealth, or someone kills their man, they will never remain silent by saying that Allah willed it, so it is fine.
➌ From this it is known that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not only invite the disbelievers and polytheists to monotheism and prophethood, but also commanded prayer, zakat, and other good deeds, as is mentioned in the hadith of Heraclius, where Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan about the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “What does he command you?” So Abu Sufyan replied: [ يَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّلَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ ] “He commands us to pray, give zakat, maintain family ties, and be chaste.” [ بخاري، التفسیر، باب : «قل یا أھل الکتاب تعالوا… » : ۴۵۵۳ ]
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. 2. That is, if Allah had willed, He would not have made them poor; however, by giving to them, why act against Allah’s will? That is, by saying, “Help the poor,” you are displaying a clear mistake. Their statement was correct that poverty and neediness are by Allah’s will, but making this a justification for turning away from Allah’s command is wrong. After all, the One who commands to help them is also Allah, so His pleasure is in helping the poor and needy. This is because will (مشیت) is one thing and pleasure (رضا) is another. Will relates to matters of creation, under which whatever happens, its wisdom and benefit is known only to Allah; and pleasure relates to matters of legislation, which we have been commanded to fulfill so that we may attain His pleasure.
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.
[46]
The Pretext of Divine Will is Used When the Fault is Their Own:
This is the attitude of those obstinate and argumentative people—“the bad habit of making many excuses”—that is, they know well that helping the poor is a very good and virtuous deed. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah tests everyone in every condition. He tests the rich by seeing whether they give to the poor or not, and He tests the poor by seeing whether they are patient and grateful to Allah in their state or not. The real divine will is that Allah makes some people rich and some poor in order to test both, whereas their argument is that if Allah had willed, He would have given them Himself. And their clear misguidance or the invalidity of their argument is evident in that they only take refuge in divine will when they themselves are guilty, and when someone else is guilty and their own rights are being violated, they never take refuge in divine will. For example, if a robber snatches their wealth, at that time they will take every possible action against him and will never say that the robber is not at fault or that they should bear everything because this was Allah’s will. It should be clear that this meaning applies when ﴿إنْ أنْتُمْ الآَ فِيْ ضَلاَلٍ مُّبِيْنٍ﴾ is understood as the word of Allah. And if this sentence is considered the speech of the disbelievers who do not give charity, and its addressees are Muslims, then its meaning would be: O Muslims! Your misguidance is very clear, that you want to feed those whom Allah does not want to feed.
