Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
(It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship,
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ ٱحْشُرُوا۟uḥ'shurūGather
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose who
ظَلَمُوا۟ẓalamūwronged
وَأَزْوَٰجَهُمْwa-azwājahumand their kinds
وَمَاwamāand what
كَانُوا۟kānūthey used (to)
يَعْبُدُونَyaʿbudūnaworship
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 23,22) ➊ {اُحْشُرُواالَّذِيْنَظَلَمُوْاوَاَزْوَاجَهُمْ … :} Here, by {’’ الَّذِيْنَظَلَمُوْا ‘‘} is meant the disbelievers and polytheists. The evidence for this is that they and their "other than Allah" deities will be ordered to be driven towards Hell, and it is obvious that monotheistic Muslims do not worship any deity besides Allah. Also see Surah Al-An'am (82) and Luqman (13) {’’ وَاَزْوَاجَهُمْ ‘‘} In Tabari, it is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) with an authentic chain from Ali bin Abi Talhah: {’’أَزْوَاجٌ‘‘} "By (pairs) is meant other people like them." Wives can also be meant, who were their companions in disbelief and polytheism. That is, with the establishment of the Day of Judgment, the angels will be ordered to separate the disbelievers and polytheists from the believers and to gather each type separately, for example, fornicators with fornicators, usurers with usurers, thieves with thieves, likewise, polytheist husbands will be ordered to be gathered with their polytheist wives, just as the believers will be with their wives. Allah Almighty said: « جَنّٰتُعَدْنٍيَّدْخُلُوْنَهَاوَمَنْصَلَحَمِنْاٰبَآىِٕهِمْوَاَزْوَاجِهِمْوَذُرِّيّٰتِهِمْ »[ الرعد : ۲۳ ] "Gardens of eternity, which they will enter, and also their fathers, their wives, and their descendants who were righteous." Along with them, their idols and other false deities will also be gathered and ordered to be driven towards the path of Hell, whom they used to worship besides Allah Almighty. Among them will be devils, and those jinn and humans who were pleased to be worshipped. The purpose will be to humiliate them, that now tell your gods to help you. However, the angels, prophets, and righteous people whom they used to worship will be exempt from this. See Surah Al-Anbiya (98 to 103).
➋ { فَاهْدُوْهُمْاِلٰىصِرَاطِالْجَحِيْمِ :} The word "guidance" here is used to mock them.
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.
22. 1. That is, those who committed disbelief, polytheism, and sins. This will be a command from Allah.
22. 2. By this is meant their counterparts in disbelief, polytheism, and denial of the messengers, or according to some, the jinn and devils. And some say that these are the wives who were their companions in disbelief and polytheism.
22. 3. Whether they are idols or righteous servants of Allah, all will be gathered for their humiliation. However, Allah will keep the righteous people far from Hell, and the other deities will be thrown into Hell with them. so that they may see that these are not capable of causing any harm to anyone.
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.
22. Gather together those who did wrong, their kinds [13], and all that they used to worship [14] besides Allah.
[13] All Three Meanings of "Zauj" Are Intended Together:
The word "azwaj" is used in three meanings, and at this place, it conveys all three meanings. One meaning is that the husband is the "zauj" of the wife and the wife is the "zauj" of the husband. In this sense, the meaning will be that the angels will be commanded to gather the wrongdoers and their wives who were their partners in rebellion. The second meaning of "zauj" is its counterpart, like one shoe is the "zauj" of the other. In this sense, the meaning will be to gather all the types of wrongdoers together. And the third meaning of "zauj" is its opposite, like night is the "zauj" of day and day is the "zauj" of night, or darkness is the "zauj" of light and light is the "zauj" of darkness. In this sense, the meaning will be: gather and bring before Us all the deities and their worshippers.
[14] The Three Types of False Deities:
There are two major types of deities besides Allah. One is those without intellect, which includes idols, stars, trees and stones, and animals, such as cows, oxen, and snakes, etc. The second is those with intellect, such as prophets, angels, saints, and elders. Then, among humans and jinn, there are some deities who themselves desired that they be obeyed in opposition to Allah, or that their divinity and divine powers be acknowledged. Among all these, only the angels, prophets, and those elders who themselves kept forbidding shirk will not enter Hell. All the remaining deities will be gathered and thrown into Hell, and the reason for this has already been mentioned in several places.