Surah Saad (38) — Ayah 32
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 In this verse, the love of Sulayman (peace be upon him) for jihad and for keeping and training horses for that purpose is mentioned. For this objective, he kept a large number of high-bred, swift horses. One day, in the late afternoon, those purebred horses of high lineage were presented before him, which, due to their delicacy and refinement, would stand on three legs while the edge of the hoof of the fourth leg would just touch the ground, but in running they were very swift. So Sulayman (peace be upon him) considered it necessary to explain the reason for keeping such valuable horses and spending his precious time inspecting and racing them, so that no one would think it was merely for royal display and grandeur. Thus, he said that I have loved and chosen the love of this wealth, meaning the horses, for the sake of the remembrance of my Lord, so that by waging jihad with them, I may spread the remembrance of my Lord throughout the world and make His word supreme over all.
➌ { حَتّٰى تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ : ’’ تَوَارَتْ ‘‘} is originally {’’تَوَارَيَتْ‘‘}, which is the third person feminine singular past indicative form from {’’تَوَارٰي يَتَوَارٰي تَوَارِيًا‘‘} (tafa‘ul) (to hide), which is used for a group of horses. That is, the group of horses became hidden from sight. The word {’’ حَتّٰى ‘‘} (until) indicates that some phrase is omitted before this, which is that, at the command of Sulayman (peace be upon him), they were made to run until they became hidden from sight.
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.
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.
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The Horses Presented to Sayyiduna Sulaiman:
So, to whom does the singular feminine pronoun in the verse refer? Due to the difference of opinion regarding this, there is considerable disagreement in the interpretation of this verse as well. Some commentators have understood from ﴿تَوَارَتْ بالْحِجَابِ﴾ that when the cavalry of horses disappeared from sight. Others have understood that when the sun set. According to the first meaning, the interpretation is that one day, in the late afternoon, Sayyiduna Sulaiman (peace be upon him) was inspecting his horses, then he made them run until they disappeared from sight. Since this entire activity was for the sake of jihad, he greatly enjoyed this occupation and said that it was due to the remembrance of my Lord that I preferred this activity. Then he called the horses to himself and affectionately stroked their necks and legs. According to the second meaning, the interpretation is that he became so engrossed in the activity with the horses that the sun set, and this occupation made him neglectful of the remembrance of Allah, i.e., the prayer. This incident caused him great distress. He called for the horses and began to cut their necks and legs, and after slaughtering a few horses, he distributed their meat among the needy. Since he did this out of love for Allah, Allah rewarded him by subjecting the winds to his command, and he no longer had as much need for the cavalry of horses as he had before.
