Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 15
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.
In {’’ رَفِيْعُ الدَّرَجٰتِ ‘‘}, if {’’ رَفِيْعُ ‘‘} is considered transitive, the meaning will be: He is the One Who raises ranks very high, as He said: «نَرْفَعُ دَرَجٰتٍ مَّنْ نَّشَآءُ » [ یوسف : ۷۶ ] "We raise in degrees whom We will."
➋ By {يُلْقِي الرُّوْحَ مِنْ اَمْرِهٖ عَلٰى مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهٖ:’’ الرُّوْحَ ‘‘} is meant here "revelation," as He said: « يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةَ بِالرُّوْحِ مِنْ اَمْرِهٖ عَلٰى مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهٖۤ اَنْ اَنْذِرُوْۤا اَنَّهٗ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا فَاتَّقُوْنِ» [ النحل : ۲ ] "He sends down the angels with the revelation by His command upon whom He wills of His servants, [saying], 'Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me.'" For further explanation, see the exegesis of this verse in Surah An-Nahl.
➌ { لِيُنْذِرَ يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ: ’’ التَّلَاقِ ‘‘ ’’ لَقِيَ يَلْقٰي‘‘} (ع) is the verbal noun of the form tafa'ul, originally {’’تَلَاقِيْ‘‘}, meaning to meet one another. That is, Allah sends down revelation so that He may warn about the Day of Meeting. What is meant is the Day of Resurrection, in which souls will join with bodies and all people will meet one another. Every doer will meet the recompense of his deeds, the oppressor and the oppressed will meet, the angels of the heavens will meet the humans of the earth, and the creation will meet the Creator, Who will take their account.
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.
[18] That is, He possesses such exalted ranks that it is impossible for any creature to even imagine being close to Him. Let alone imagining that any other creature could share in Allah’s attributes or His powers. And its second meaning could also be that He is the One who elevates the ranks of His sincere and obedient servants; the more a person becomes obedient to Allah, Allah continues to raise his ranks, and on the Day of Resurrection, the people of Paradise will be granted their place in Paradise according to these ranks.
[19] (For the various meanings of "Ruh," see the footnote number 3 of verse number 2 of Surah An-Nahl.) The meaning is that Allah does not need any of your advice in the matter of sending revelation to any of His servants. Nor are you the custodians of revelation that, against your will, Allah could not send revelation to anyone. He purely, according to His own will and discretion, sends His revelation to whomever He wills.
[20] By "meeting" is meant the servant’s meeting with his Lord, and also the meeting of jinn, humans, and devils with each other. On the Day of Resurrection, everyone will meet each other.
