Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 43
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 {’’ لَيْسَ لَهٗ دَعْوَةٌ ‘‘} (there is no call for him) can have several meanings and all are correct. One is that neither in this world does he have the right to be called upon, nor in the Hereafter. Second, that there is no benefit in calling upon him in this world nor in the Hereafter. Third, that he can neither accept anyone's supplication in this world nor in the Hereafter. In other words, this is the same thing that is stated in Surah Al-Ahqaf: « وَ مَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ يَّدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَنْ لَّا يَسْتَجِيْبُ لَهٗۤ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ وَ هُمْ عَنْ دُعَآىِٕهِمْ غٰفِلُوْنَ » [الأحقاف:۵] "And who is more astray than he who calls upon, besides Allah, those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they are unaware of their supplication." See also Surah Fatir (14).
➌ { وَ اَنَّ مَرَدَّنَاۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ:} That is, in the end, all of us have to return to Allah Almighty, who will give each one the reward or punishment for his deeds.
➍ {وَ اَنَّ الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ هُمْ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ:} Here, by {’’ الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ ‘‘} (transgressors) are meant the disbelievers and polytheists, because only they will remain in the Fire forever. He said: « اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ اَنْ يُّشْرَكَ بِهٖ وَ يَغْفِرُ مَا دُوْنَ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ» [النساء : ۴۸، ۱۱۶ ] "Indeed, Allah does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills."
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.
43. 2. That is, they do not even possess the ability to hear anyone’s call so that they could benefit someone or have any right to divinity. Its meaning is approximately the same as what is stated in this verse and in many other similar verses (وَمَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ يَّدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَنْ لَّا يَسْتَجِيْبُ لَهٗٓ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ وَهُمْ عَنْ دُعَاۗىِٕهِمْ غٰفِلُوْنَ) 46. Al-Ahqaf: 5) (اِنْ تَدْعُوْهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوْا دُعَاۗءَكُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوْا مَا اسْتَجَابُوْا لَكُمْ) 35. Fatir: 14): If you call upon them, they do not hear your call, and even if, hypothetically, they were to hear, they cannot accept it.
43. 3. That is, will they be able to hear the call in the Hereafter and be able to save anyone from punishment or even intercede? This is also not possible. Can such things be worthy of being worshipped and made deities?
43. 4. Where everyone will be held accountable and will be given good or bad recompense according to their deeds.
43. 5. That is, the disbelievers and polytheists who exceed all limits in disobedience to Allah, and likewise, those Muslims who are extremely sinful and whose disobedience has reached the level of excess, they too will have to endure the punishment of Hell for some time. However, later, by the intercession of the Messenger ﷺ or by Allah’s will, they will be taken out of Hell and admitted into Paradise.
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.
[56] This sentence can have several meanings. The first is the one that is clear from the translation. The second meaning is that neither in this world nor in the Hereafter do these things have the right for people to be invited to accept their divinity. The third is that people have forcibly made them gods, otherwise, they themselves neither claim divinity in this world nor will they rise on the Day of Judgment with the claim that "We too were gods; why were we not accepted as such?"
[57] Although exceeding the limits in any matter can be called "israf" (extravagance), here "musrifin" refers to those people who associate powerless creatures with Allah's powers and authority. Such extravagant ones are the very denizens of Hell who will never be forgiven.
