سُوْرَةُ صٓ

Surah Saad (38) — Ayah 23

The letter Saad · Meccan · Juz 23 · Page 454

إِنَّ هَـٰذَآ أَخِى لَهُۥ تِسْعٌ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةً وَلِىَ نَعْجَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَقَالَ أَكْفِلْنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِى فِى ٱلْخِطَابِ ﴿23﴾
Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: "Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech."
إِنَّ inna Indeed
هَـٰذَآ hādhā this
أَخِى akhī (is) my brother
لَهُۥ lahu he has
تِسْعٌۭ tis'ʿun ninety-nine
وَتِسْعُونَ watis'ʿūna ninety-nine
نَعْجَةًۭ naʿjatan ewe(s)
وَلِىَ waliya while I have
نَعْجَةٌۭ naʿjatun ewe
وَٰحِدَةٌۭ wāḥidatun one
فَقَالَ faqāla so he said
أَكْفِلْنِيهَا akfil'nīhā Entrust her to me
وَعَزَّنِى waʿazzanī and he overpowered me
فِى in
ٱلْخِطَابِ l-khiṭābi [the] speech

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

23. 1 By "brother" is meant a religious brother, business partner, or friend. The term "brother" applies authentically to all of them.

23. 2 That is, "Include even his one ewe among my ewes so that I may become the guarantor and caretaker of that one as well."

23. 3 Another translation is: "And he has also prevailed over me in speech," meaning just as he has more wealth, his tongue is also sharper than mine, and due to this sharpness and cleverness, he convinces people.

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.

23. "This is my brother. He has ninety-nine ewes, and I have only one ewe. Yet he says, 'Give it to me,' and he overpowered me in speech [27]."

[27] After this introductory joint statement, the plaintiff presented his case: This (defendant) is my brother (by brother is not necessarily meant a blood brother, but it could also mean a religious brother or a partner in business). He already has ninety-nine ewes, and I have only one. Now he says, "Give that one to me as well," and I do not even have the courage to speak to him in defense of my right. He does not let me speak in such a manner and overpowers me.