Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allâh (i.e. I have not done what Allâh has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), the Qur’ân, and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and at the faithful believers]
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَنanLest
تَقُولَtaqūlashould say
نَفْسٌۭnafsuna soul
يَـٰحَسْرَتَىٰyāḥasratāOh! My regret
عَلَىٰʿalāover
مَاmāwhat
فَرَّطتُfarraṭtuI neglected
فِىfīin
جَنۢبِjanbiregard (to)
ٱللَّهِl-lahiAllah
وَإِنwa-inand that
كُنتُkuntuI was
لَمِنَlaminasurely, among
ٱلسَّـٰخِرِينَl-sākhirīnathe mockers
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 56) ➊ By { اَنْتَقُوْلَنَفْسٌيّٰحَسْرَتٰى … : ’’ اَنْ ‘‘} is meant {’’لِئَلَّا‘‘}, as in Surah An-Nahl, Ayah (15): «وَاَلْقٰىفِيالْاَرْضِرَوَاسِيَاَنْتَمِيْدَبِكُمْ »{’’أَيْلِئَلَّاتَمِيْدَبِكُمْ ‘‘} “And He has placed firm mountains in the earth lest it should shake with you.” {’’يٰحَسْرَتٰى ‘‘} is originally {’’حَسْرَةٌ‘‘} annexed to the first person singular, which has been changed into “alif.” “Hasrah” means intense regret and sorrow—alas, my regret! {’’ فَرَّطْتُّ ‘‘ ’’فَرَّطَيُفَرِّطُتَفْرِيْطًا‘‘} means to fall short, and {’’أَفْرَطَيُفْرِطُإِفْرَاطًا‘‘} means to exceed. That is, lest someone should say at that time: Alas, my regret! For my falling short and disobedience that I kept committing before the Creator and Master of the entire universe, Allah Almighty, in His presence, Who is not unaware of anything.
➋ { وَاِنْكُنْتُلَمِنَالسّٰخِرِيْنَ : ’’ اِنْ ‘‘} is originally {’’ إِنِّيْ‘‘}. The “noon” of {’’إِنَّ‘‘} has been made silent and its pronoun “ya” (first person singular) has been omitted. The proof of this is the “lam” that comes on {’’ لَمِنَالسّٰخِرِيْنَ ‘‘}, and indeed, I was among those who mocked. That is, alas! I did not suffice with disobedience alone, but also joined others in mocking. Obviously, mocking collectively is even greater opposition to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him). This verse also makes it clear that from {’’قُلْيٰعِبَادِيَالَّذِيْنَاَسْرَفُوْا ‘‘} onwards, the context is about the disbelievers, because it is they who mock Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter. No matter how sinful a believer may be, his faith does not allow him to mock.
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.
56. 1. The meaning of فِیجَنْباللّٰہِ is negligence in the obedience of Allah, i.e., in the Quran and acting upon it. جَنْب means nearness and proximity. That is, there was negligence in seeking the nearness of Allah and His proximity (i.e., Paradise).
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.
(Lest someone should say at that time,) "Alas for me for my shortcomings in regard to Allah [74], and indeed I was among those who mocked."
[74] That is, I preferred following my forefathers over obeying Allah’s commands. I kept giving Allah’s rights to others. Instead of calling upon Allah, I kept calling upon others and worshipping them. I kept creating obstacles in the path of Allah’s religion and kept mocking Allah’s verses and His warnings. And I never considered any reality in these things. Alas! If only I had not done such deeds, as a result of which I have to face this terrible time today.