Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
A guide and a reminder for men of understanding.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
هُدًۭىhudanA guide
وَذِكْرَىٰwadhik'rāand a reminder
لِأُو۟لِىli-ulīfor those
ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِl-albābi(of) understanding
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 54) ➊ Both {هُدًىوَّذِكْرٰى: ’’ هُدًى ‘‘} and {’’ ذِكْرٰى ‘‘} are verbal nouns in the sense of an intensive active participle, meaning such a guide and admonisher that its very existence was entirely guidance and admonition. The meaning of {’’ ذِكْرٰى ‘‘} is both admonition and reminder, that is, that book would guide them in the matters they faced and would also remind them of forgotten things, such as death, the grave, the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell, etc., thereby admonishing them. Elsewhere, regarding the Torah, it is said: « اِنَّاۤاَنْزَلْنَاالتَّوْرٰىةَفِيْهَاهُدًىوَّنُوْرٌيَحْكُمُبِهَاالنَّبِيُّوْنَالَّذِيْنَاَسْلَمُوْالِلَّذِيْنَهَادُوْاوَالرَّبّٰنِيُّوْنَوَالْاَحْبَارُبِمَااسْتُحْفِظُوْامِنْكِتٰبِاللّٰهِوَكَانُوْاعَلَيْهِشُهَدَآءَ »[ المائدۃ : ۴۴ ] “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light; by it the prophets who submitted judged for those who became Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars, for they were entrusted with the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses over it.”
➋ {لِاُولِيالْاَلْبَابِ: ’’ الْاَلْبَابِ ‘‘ ’’ لُبٌّ ‘‘} is the plural, meaning intellects. That is, only those with intellects obtain guidance and admonition from this book. In the entire Quran, the word {’’ الْاَلْبَابِ ‘‘} always appears in the plural. That is, in Allah’s Book, there is no guidance or admonition for those who do not possess intellect, or who possess only the intellect for worldly outward matters, as is said regarding the disbelievers: « وَلٰكِنَّاَكْثَرَالنَّاسِلَايَعْلَمُوْنَ (6) يَعْلَمُوْنَظَاهِرًامِّنَالْحَيٰوةِالدُّنْيَاوَهُمْعَنِالْاٰخِرَةِهُمْغٰفِلُوْنَ»[ الروم : ۶، ۷ ] “But most people do not know. They know only the outward of the worldly life, and of the Hereafter, they are heedless.” Rather, in it is guidance and admonition for those who possess every kind of intellect, for both the outward and real matters of the world and for the Hereafter as well. Everywhere, according to the words of the Quran, I have translated {’’ اُوْلُوْاالْاَلْبَاب‘‘} as “those with intellects,” whereas generally it is translated as “those with intellect.” Certainly, by reflecting on the words of the Quran, amazing secrets are revealed.
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.
54. 1. Only those who possess sound intellect benefit from the heavenly books and derive guidance and admonition from them; other people are like donkeys upon whom the burden of books is loaded, but they are unaware of what is in those books.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).