سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ

Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 161

The Women · Medinan · Juz 6 · Page 103

وَأَخْذِهِمُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَقَدْ نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَكْلِهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا ﴿161﴾
And their taking of Ribâ (usury) though they were forbidden from taking it and their devouring of men’s substance wrongfully (bribery). And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful torment.
وَأَخْذِهِمُ wa-akhdhihimu And for their taking
ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ l-riba (of) [the] usury
وَقَدْ waqad while certainly
نُهُوا۟ nuhū they were forbidden
عَنْهُ ʿanhu from it
وَأَكْلِهِمْ wa-aklihim and (for) their consuming
أَمْوَٰلَ amwāla wealth
ٱلنَّاسِ l-nāsi (of) the people
بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ ۚ bil-bāṭili wrongfully
وَأَعْتَدْنَا wa-aʿtadnā And We have prepared
لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ lil'kāfirīna for the disbelievers
مِنْهُمْ min'hum among them
عَذَابًا ʿadhāban a punishment
أَلِيمًۭا alīman painful

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 161)➊ {وَ اَخْذِهِمُ الرِّبٰوا وَ قَدْ نُهُوْا عَنْهُ :} In the Torah that exists today as well, usury has been declared forbidden at several places. (See the Book of Exodus, chapter 22, verses 25 to 27).

{وَ اَكْلِهِمْ اَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ:} That is, bribery, gambling, deception, and consuming people's wealth through other unlawful means. There are two types of sins: oppression against creation and turning away from the truth. The above verse: «وَ بِصَدِّهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ» (because of their excessive hindering from Allah's path) points towards oppression against creation, and the rest is related to {’’اعراض عن الحق‘‘}. (Kabir)

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

161. And for their taking of usury [211] while they had been forbidden from it, and for their consuming people's wealth unjustly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment [212].

[211] Regarding the usury and unlawful consumption by the Jews, see the footnotes number 66 and 67 of verse number 75 of Surah Aal-e-Imran.

[212]
Humiliation and Misery:

Even today, the Jews are the biggest usurers, unlawful consumers, and the wealthiest nation in the world, but despite their wealth, the Jews have always been defeated and have never been able to live a life of peace anywhere. The present-day Jewish state of Israel that has been established is also established by other governments and is running under their protection, and most countries have not yet recognized this usurping government. This punishment has been given to them in this world. And in the Hereafter, in any case, they will definitely receive the punishment for all their disobedience and breaches of covenant.