Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 153
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 {فَقَدْ سَاَلُوْا مُوْسٰۤى اَكْبَرَ مِنْ ذٰلِكَ :} It is said (in exact accordance with your demand) that when Moses (peace be upon him) brought the Book, you made an even greater demand, that is, you said: Show us Allah clearly and openly. (See Baqarah: 55) Then you committed an even greater insolence by making the calf your deity, yet We forgave you, and despite your stubbornness, hostility, and ignorance, We granted Moses (peace be upon him) dominance and authority, and you could not oppose his command. In this verse, there is also glad tidings for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that in the end, these stubborn and hostile people will be subdued. After this, their other ignorances are mentioned. (Kabir)
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 Demand of the Jews for a Written Scripture to Believe:
There is a famous saying: "A bad habit finds many excuses." In accordance with this saying, the Jews of Madinah made this demand of you that if a written book is sent down to you from the sky, then we will believe in it, just as the tablets of the Torah were sent down to Moses. Allah has answered this demand of theirs in various ways at different places—both as a counter-argument and as a factual response. The counter-argument is that asking questions and continuing to ask has become second nature to the Jews. Now the question is: when the written Torah was sent down to them from the sky, did they believe in it?
The Demand to See Allah:
They even made a demand greater than this, which was that unless we see Allah and He Himself says that indeed it is I who have sent down this book, the Torah, how can we, O Moses, trust you? Although each of their demands was based on extreme rebellion, nevertheless, Mosesؑ took them to the foot of Mount Tur. How could these people possibly withstand the manifestation of Allah, which even Sayyiduna Musaؑ could not bear and fell unconscious? Thus, when the manifestations came upon them in the form of lightning, all of them died. Then, by the prayer of Sayyiduna Musaؑ, they were brought back to life, and this incident has already been mentioned in detail in Surah Al-Baqarah. Therefore, even now, if something is sent down according to their wish, they will do exactly what they did before.
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The Miracles of Musa:
These were clear proofs: the staff of Musa, the shining hand, the plague of ticks, lice, frogs, and blood upon the people of Pharaoh, which would be removed by the prayer of Sayyiduna Musaؑ, yet still they would not believe. The clear victory of Sayyiduna Musa over the magicians and the magicians' acceptance of faith, the splitting of the sea and the drowning of Pharaoh and his people in it, and the salvation of the Children of Israel from the Pharaoh's people, etc. In short, there were countless such proofs or miracles. Even after seeing them, those who did not truly believe—if a book is sent down upon you, will these people believe?
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The Worship of the Calf:
You were such unjust people that you did not understand that all of this happened by the mercy of Allah, but most of you thought that our salvation was due to the worship of the calf. Therefore, you started worshipping the calf again. And when you could not find an already made idol of a calf, you made one yourselves and began to worship it. This detail has already been mentioned before.
