Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if one of them is informed of the news of (the birth of a girl) that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious (Allâh), his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذَاwa-idhāAnd when
بُشِّرَbushirais given good news
أَحَدُهُمaḥaduhum(to) one of them
بِمَاbimāof what
ضَرَبَḍarabahe sets up
لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِlilrraḥmānifor the Most Gracious
مَثَلًۭاmathalan(as) a likeness
ظَلَّẓallabecomes
وَجْهُهُۥwajhuhuhis face
مُسْوَدًّۭاmus'waddandark
وَهُوَwahuwaand he
كَظِيمٌkaẓīmun(is) filled with grief
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 17) {وَاِذَابُشِّرَاَحَدُهُمْبِمَاضَرَبَلِلرَّحْمٰنِمَثَلًا … :} What great ingratitude it is that they attribute to Allah something which they themselves intensely hate and detest. For further details about their hatred of daughters, see the commentary of Surah An-Nahl, verses (58, 59). {’’ ظَلَّوَجْهُهٗمُسْوَدًّا ‘‘} (His face remains dark all day) That is why it is said that the darkness of the face is visible during the day, otherwise the face remains dark even at night.
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
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.
17. And when any one of them is given the glad tidings of what they attribute to the Most Merciful (i.e., a daughter), his face becomes darkened [15] and he is filled with grief.
[15] The Reaction of the People of Makkah Upon the News of a Daughter:
Was it not enough injustice that they declared Allah to have children? On top of that, they committed even greater injustice by assigning only daughters to Allah from among the children—those whom he himself intensely dislikes for themselves. And if it is told to one of them that a daughter has been born to him, his expression changes at once. Out of shame and embarrassment, he hides from people and is consumed with grief within himself over this matter. And when he can do nothing else, he buries her alive. It should be clear that the Arabs used to consider the angels as daughters of Allah. They would make imaginary idols of them in the form of women and then worship them. Al-‘Uzza, Al-Lat, and Manat were such goddesses of theirs.