Surah Muhammad (47) — Ayah 38
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 مَنْ يَّبْخَلْ فَاِنَّمَا يَبْخَلُ عَنْ نَّفْسِهٖ:} means that the person who is stingy in spending in the way of Allah thinks in his mind that I have been stingy with Allah Almighty and have not given Him wealth, whereas in reality he is being stingy with his own self and is not spending that wealth on himself, because if he had spent at the command of Allah Almighty, all the benefit would have been his own. Now that he has been stingy, he has been stingy with his own self and has deprived himself.
➌ By the definite article "al" coming on { وَ اللّٰهُ الْغَنِيُّ وَ اَنْتُمُ الْفُقَرَآءُ: ’’ الْغَنِيُّ ‘‘} and {’’ الْفُقَرَآءُ ‘‘}, exclusivity is created, meaning only Allah is Rich and no one else is rich, and only you are needy, Allah Almighty has no need. The meaning is that Allah Almighty has not commanded you to spend for any of His own needs, He is Rich, you are the needy ones, and whatever you spend, He will return it to you with countless increase, as He said: « مَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يُقْرِضُ اللّٰهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضٰعِفَهٗ لَهٗۤ اَضْعَافًا كَثِيْرَةً وَ اللّٰهُ يَقْبِضُ وَ يَبْصُۜطُ وَ اِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ» [ البقرۃ : ۲۴۵ ] "Who is it that will lend to Allah a good loan, so He will multiply it for him many times over, and Allah withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned."
➍ {وَ اِنْ تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُوْنُوْۤا اَمْثَالَكُمْ:} For its details, see the commentary of Surah Al-Ma'idah, Ayah (54).
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.
38. 2 That is, he deprives his own self from the reward of spending in the way of Allah.
38. 3 That is, Allah does not encourage you to spend because He is in need of your wealth; no, He is Ghani, free of need. He gives you this command for your own benefit: firstly, so that your own souls may be purified; secondly, so that the needs of your needy ones may be fulfilled; thirdly, so that you may remain dominant and superior over the enemy. Therefore, you are in need of Allah's mercy and help, not that Allah is in need of you.
38. 4 That is, you turn back from Islam to disbelief.
35. 5 Rather, there will be those who are more obedient to Allah and His Messenger and who spend abundantly in the way of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ was asked about this, so he ﷺ placed his hand on the shoulder of Salman al-Farsi ؓ and said, "This refers to him and his people. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if faith were suspended with the Thurayya star, some men from Persia would attain it." Al-Tirmidhi.
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]
By "others" is meant the people of Persia:
If Allah commands you to spend in jihad or in other good deeds, it is for your own benefit, for in this world He will grant you its substitute, and in the Hereafter, for every one, you will receive a thousand. And if you are miserly and do not spend on the needs of jihad, you will suffer severe loss, and you will be humiliated and disgraced before the disbelievers. Furthermore, you will become disobedient to Allah. Allah has no need of your wealth for Himself. He is Self-Sufficient, and you are the needy ones. And if you act with miserliness in spending your lives and wealth, Allah will bring other people in your place who will not be miserly in spending their lives and wealth. Allah will, in any case, make His religion prevail; if it happens through your hands, consider it a blessing for yourselves. And by "other people" is meant the people of Persia. Thus, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ said: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who are these people?" He did not reply. I asked the same question three times. At that time, Salman Farsi was sitting among us. The Prophet ﷺ placed his hand on him and said: "If faith were at Thurayya (the Pleiades), even then some men from these people would attain it." [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ سورة جمعه]
The Glorious Religious Services of the People of Persia:
All praise is due to Allah, the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) made such unparalleled sacrifices in the cause of jihad that there was never a need to bring another nation in their place. However, the people of Persia, after entering Islam, demonstrated such a magnificent display of knowledge and faith and rendered such incomparable religious services that seeing them, everyone is compelled to admit that, without doubt, in exact accordance with the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, these were the people who, when needed, could fill the place of the Arabs. The majority of renowned hadith scholars and leading jurists belong to this region.
