Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِلَّاillāExcept
ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَl-mus'taḍʿafīnathe oppressed
مِنَminaamong
ٱلرِّجَالِl-rijālithe men
وَٱلنِّسَآءِwal-nisāiand the women
وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِwal-wil'dāniand the children
لَاlā(who) not
يَسْتَطِيعُونَyastaṭīʿūnaare able to
حِيلَةًۭḥīlatanplan
وَلَاwalāand not
يَهْتَدُونَyahtadūnathey are directed
سَبِيلًۭاsabīlan(to) a way
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 98) ➊ {اِلَّاالْمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ … : } In this verse, those people have been exempted who were truly helpless and disabled and could not migrate. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says: "I and my mother were among those whom Allah Almighty declared as excused." [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب : «وما لکم لا تقاتلون… » : ۴۵۸۸ ] Among these people were also Ayyash bin Abi Rabi'ah and Salamah bin Hisham, etc., for whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray for deliverance from the clutches of the disbelievers. [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب قولہ : «فاولٰئک عسی اللہ…» : ۴۵۹۸ ] ➋ The mother of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was Umm al-Fadl bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her), and her name was Lubabah, who was the sister of Umm al-Mu'minin Maymunah bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her). "Banat Harith" were nine sisters, among whom was Asma bint Umays Khath'amiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was the sister of Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her) from her mother's side and the wife of Ja'far bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). After Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him), Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) married her, and after Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), she came into the marriage of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). (Qurtubi)
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.
98. 1. This is the command to exempt those men, women, and children from migration who were deprived of its means and were also unaware of the way. Although children are not legally responsible for Shariah rulings, their mention here is to highlight the importance of migration—even children should migrate, or here, by children, it may mean those close to puberty.
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.
98. Except for those men, women, and children who are truly helpless and oppressed [135], and can devise no plan nor find a way out—there is hope that Allah will pardon them.
[135] Those Unable to Migrate:
These are the Muslims who were truly weak and could not see any way to migrate. By "the weak" or "those who are helpless" are meant those who are genuinely excused, such as the sick, children, the elderly, women, and Muslims imprisoned by the disbelievers. And by limited means is meant that they neither had any arrangement for transport nor were they capable of bearing the hardship of traveling on foot. Allah Almighty has exempted them from the above-mentioned group and has promised forgiveness for their fault of not migrating. Thus, Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas ؓ used to say, "I and my mother were among those whom Allah excused." [بخاري، كتاب التفسير] Likewise, there were other weak Muslims such as Walid bin Walid, Salamah bin Hisham, ‘Ayyash bin Abi Rabi‘ah, and many others, for whose deliverance the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to supplicate after bowing in prayer. [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب تسمیۃ الولید]