Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Whosoever does a good deed, it is for his ownself, and whosoever does evil, it is against (his ownself). Then to your Lord you will be made to return.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
مَنْmanWhoever
عَمِلَʿamiladoes
صَـٰلِحًۭاṣāliḥana righteous deed
فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖfalinafsihithen it is for his soul
وَمَنْwamanand whoever
أَسَآءَasāadoes evil
فَعَلَيْهَا ۖfaʿalayhāthen it (is) against it
ثُمَّthummaThen
إِلَىٰilāto
رَبِّكُمْrabbikumyour Lord
تُرْجَعُونَtur'jaʿūnayou will be returned
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 15) {مَنْعَمِلَصَالِحًافَلِنَفْسِهٖ … :} For the details of this verse, see the exegesis of verse (46) of Surah Ha Meem Sajdah.
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.
15. 1. That is, the action of every group and individual, whether good or bad, its benefit or harm will reach only the doer himself, not anyone else. In this, there is encouragement towards good and warning against evil.
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.
Whoever does a good deed, it is for his own benefit [20], and whoever does evil will bear its burden. Then you will all be returned to your Lord.
[20] That is, if a person does good deeds, neither does it fulfill any need of Allah nor does it benefit Him in any way; rather, the benefit reaches only the one who does the good deed, and it reaches him in this world and will also reach him in the Hereafter. In terms of the context, this address is to those Muslims who were enduring the hardships inflicted by the disbelievers of Makkah and were commanded to forgive. And those who do evil deeds—such as hindering the path of Islam, oppressing Muslims, and mocking them—cannot harm Allah in any way. Its consequences will fall upon them, both in this world and in the Hereafter. And in the Hereafter, when Allah will gather all of you before Him, you will all see each other's end.