سُوْرَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ

Surah Muhammad (47) — Ayah 3

Muhammad · Medinan · Juz 26 · Page 507

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ أَمْثَـٰلَهُمْ ﴿3﴾
That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allâh set forth for mankind their parables.
ذَٰلِكَ dhālika That
بِأَنَّ bi-anna (is) because
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieve
ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ittabaʿū follow
ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ l-bāṭila falsehood
وَأَنَّ wa-anna and that
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
ءَامَنُوا۟ āmanū believe
ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ittabaʿū follow
ٱلْحَقَّ l-ḥaqa (the) truth
مِن min from
رَّبِّهِمْ ۚ rabbihim their Lord
كَذَٰلِكَ kadhālika Thus
يَضْرِبُ yaḍribu Allah presents
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah presents
لِلنَّاسِ lilnnāsi to the people
أَمْثَـٰلَهُمْ amthālahum their similitudes

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 3) ➊ The reason for the destruction of the disbelievers’ deeds and the removal of the believers’ sins and the correction of their condition is that the disbelievers adopted the following of falsehood and pursued it, whereas the believers continued to follow that truth which was not of their own making, but was revealed from their Lord. The paths of both were different, so their outcomes were also different.
{ كَذٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ اَمْثَالَهُمْ: ’’ أَمْثَالٌ‘‘ ’’مَثَلٌ‘‘} is the plural of 'mathal', its meaning is also “example” and also “condition” and “attribute” of something, as is coming ahead, He said: «مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِيْ وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُوْنَ فِيْهَاۤ اَنْهٰرٌ مِّنْ مَّآءٍ غَيْرِ اٰسِنٍ » [ محمد : ۱۵] “The condition and attribute of that Paradise which has been promised to the God-fearing is that in it are many rivers of water that does not spoil.” That is, Allah Almighty in this way describes the conditions of all people.

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.

3. 1. ذلک this is either the subject or the predicate of a suppressed subject, i.e., the phrase is 'Al-Amru Dhalika'. This is a reference to those warnings which have been mentioned for the disbelievers and the believers.
3. 2. So that people may avoid the fate destined for the disbelievers and adopt the path of truth, by following which the believers will attain eternal success.

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.

3. This is because the disbelievers follow falsehood, while the believers follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allah present to the people their true state [4].

[4]
The Good Deeds of the Disbelievers Are Nullified, Their Sins Remain Binding, While the Condition of the Believers Is Completely Opposite:

Allah Almighty presents clear examples of those who follow the truth and those who follow falsehood. The condition of those who follow the truth will be that their good deeds will remain preserved and their sins will be forgiven. And the condition of those who follow falsehood will be that their good deeds will be nullified and their sins will remain binding. Because without faith, no good deed is accepted.