سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ

Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 36

The Forgiver · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 471

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَـٰهَـٰمَـٰنُ ٱبْنِ لِى صَرْحًا لَّعَلِّىٓ أَبْلُغُ ٱلْأَسْبَـٰبَ ﴿36﴾
And Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) said: "O Hâmân! Build me a tower that I may arrive at the ways -
وَقَالَ waqāla And said
فِرْعَوْنُ fir'ʿawnu Firaun
يَـٰهَـٰمَـٰنُ yāhāmānu O Haman
ٱبْنِ ib'ni Construct
لِى for me
صَرْحًۭا ṣarḥan a tower
لَّعَلِّىٓ laʿallī that I may
أَبْلُغُ ablughu reach
ٱلْأَسْبَـٰبَ l-asbāba the ways

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 36) {وَ قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يٰهَامٰنُ ابْنِ لِيْ صَرْحًا …:’’ صَرْحًا ‘‘} A lofty and high building that is clearly visible from afar. "Siraahat" refers to something being very apparent and clear. {’’ الْاَسْبَابَ ‘‘ ’’سَبَبٌ‘‘} is the plural of 'SABAB', meaning a means to reach something; here it refers to paths and doors. When Pharaoh saw that he had no answer to the believing man's words, he addressed his minister Haman, in order to nullify the effect of his advice and to mock him, saying: Build for me a lofty and high building, so that I may reach the paths.

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.

36. 1. This is the account of Pharaoh's arrogance, that he ordered his minister Haman to build a lofty structure so that through it he could reach the gates of the heavens. The meaning of "asbab" is gates, or paths. See also Al-Qasas, 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.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).