Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 18
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 { اِذِ الْقُلُوْبُ لَدَى الْحَنَاجِرِ كٰظِمِيْنَ: ’’ الْحَنَاجِرِ ‘‘ ’’حَنْجَرَةٌ‘‘} is the plural of 'حَنْجَرَةٌ' (Hanjara), which means throat (حلق). The meaning of {’’ كٰظِمِيْنَ ‘‘ ’’ كَظَمَ السِّقَاءَ‘‘} is to fill a waterskin with water and then close its mouth. That is, due to intense fear and grief, the hearts of the criminals will reach their throats, and then they will neither return to their place so that they may find some relief, nor will they come out of their bodies so that, after death, their souls may be freed.
➌ { مَا لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ مِنْ حَمِيْمٍ: ’’حَمَّ يَحُمُّ‘‘} (ن) means to heat. A close friend or relative is called {’’ حَمِيْمٍ ‘‘} because he feels warmth in his heart due to his friend or relative. On the Day of Resurrection, the wrongdoers will have no close friend, as He said: «اَلْاَخِلَّآءُ يَوْمَىِٕذٍۭ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ اِلَّا الْمُتَّقِيْنَ » [ الزخرف : ۶۷ ] "All close friends that Day will be enemies to one another except the righteous."
➍ By { وَ لَا شَفِيْعٍ:} "wrongdoers" are meant the disbelievers and polytheists. (See Al-An'am: 82; Luqman: 13) No one will intercede on their behalf, because on that Day, the permission to intercede will be given to the Prophets, angels, and righteous servants, and that too only for the believers; there will be no intercessor for the disbelievers and polytheists on that Day. See also Surah Al-Baqarah (48).
➎ { يُطَاعُ:} "whose word is accepted," meaning, firstly, no one will even dare to intercede for the disbelievers. (See Al-Anbiya: 38) If, due to ignorance or some doubt, any Prophet or saint does intercede for a disbeliever thinking that permission has been granted, his intercession will not be accepted. However, the reason for not accepting the intercession will be explained, as Ibrahim (peace be upon him) will intercede for his father on the Day of Resurrection, but it will not be accepted. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will intercede for some people who come to the Pond of Kawthar, but he will be told that he does not know what innovations they introduced after him, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will withdraw from interceding for them.
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 Literal Meaning of ﴿اَزِفَ﴾:
In ﴿اٰزِفَه﴾ ﴿اَزِفَ﴾, there is the meaning of the constriction of time, as we say that there is very little time left for the departure of the car or plane, so hurry up. In the same way, the Day of Resurrection, which is certainly going to come, should be considered as if it has almost arrived, and whatever preparations are to be made for it, should be done quickly.
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The Literal Meaning of ﴿كَظَم﴾:
﴿كَاظِمِيْنَ﴾ ﴿كظم﴾ refers to the windpipe, and ﴿كظم السقاء﴾ means to fill a waterskin to the brim with water and then close its mouth. Kazim, Kazeem, and Makzoom refer to a person who is filled up to the windpipe with grief and anger but does not express it and suppresses it. That is, the criminals will be so grieved over their deeds in worldly life that, due to the anxiety, their hearts will be in their mouths.
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The Popular Belief About Intercession:
The false beliefs that the polytheists have fabricated regarding intercession are completely useless. They think, for example, that if they cling to the hem of a certain person and pledge allegiance to him, then their salvation is guaranteed. They believe that he will intercede with Allah and free them. However, according to the explicit statement of the Quran, it is even difficult to know what condition those whom they consider intercessors themselves will be in. Also, whether they will be granted permission to intercede or not, and even if, for the sake of argument, it is accepted that they are granted permission, it still does not necessarily follow that their intercession will be accepted. Therefore, relying on anyone's intercession is completely futile.
