Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 29
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 {وَ مَا بَثَّ فِيْهِمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ: ’’ دَآبَّةٍ ‘‘ ’’دَبَّ يَدِبُّ دَبًّا وَ دَبِيْبًا‘‘} is an active participle (ism fa'il) from (ض). This word is the feminine of {’’دَابٌّ‘‘}, but it is used for both masculine and feminine. The plural is {’’دَوَابُّ‘‘}, because the "taa" is for singularity, meaning any creature that walks, whether it crawls on its belly like a snake or walks on two or four legs. Allah the Exalted said: «وَ اللّٰهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَآبَّةٍ مِّنْ مَّآءٍ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَّمْشِيْ عَلٰى بَطْنِهٖ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَّمْشِيْ عَلٰى رِجْلَيْنِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَّمْشِيْ عَلٰۤى اَرْبَعٍ يَخْلُقُ اللّٰهُ مَا يَشَآءُ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ » [ النور : ۴۵ ] "And Allah has created every moving creature from water, then among them is such that walks upon its belly, and among them is such that walks on two legs, and among them is such that walks on four. Allah creates what He wills. Surely, Allah is Powerful over everything." This verse is proof that by {’’ دَآبَّةٍ ‘‘} is meant animals, not angels.
Every person observes the various animals spread out on the earth, but in this verse, the animals spread out in both the earth and the heavens are mentioned. Therefore, some commentators, considering that the explicit mention of animals in the heavens is not found in the Quran and Hadith, have given various interpretations. Some have said that by this are meant only the animals of the earth, because they are within the earth and the heavens. Some have said that by this are meant the angels of the heavens, because they can walk as well as fly. But these interpretations are only needed if the existence of animals in the heavens is impossible. When Allah the Exalted is saying that among His signs are those animals which He has spread in the earth and the heavens, then we should have no hesitation in accepting that there are animals in the heavens as well, especially in Paradise where every blessing exists. Allah the Exalted knows best how many kinds of beautiful animals are present there.
➌ { وَ هُوَ عَلٰى جَمْعِهِمْ اِذَا يَشَآءُ قَدِيْرٌ:} Just as the creation and spreading of the animals of the earth and the heavens is a sign of Allah the Exalted, so is His power to gather them a great sign. The state of man is such that he cannot gather the scattered birds of a flock, nor the bees scattered from a hive, nor even his fellow classmates, even if they are alive. It is only the Lord, the Exalted, who is fully capable of gathering all animals, whether alive or dead. Thus, on the Day of Resurrection, He will resurrect the animals along with the humans. He said: « يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ الْجَمْعِ ذٰلِكَ يَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ» [ التغابن : ۹ ] "The Day He will gather you for the Day of Gathering, that is the Day of mutual loss and gain."
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.
[43] From this sentence, it is understood that there are countless creations of Allah in the heavens, among whom the angels are foremost, and also in the intermediate atmosphere. And if by the heavens and the earth the entire universe is meant, then it is understood that living beings are not present only on the earth, but also exist on many other celestial bodies, which mankind has not yet come to know.
[44] That is, if He can scatter His creation, such as mankind, across the entire surface of the earth, then He can also gather them together, and after gathering them, present them before Himself.
