Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And to Allâh belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills. And Allâh is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلِلَّهِwalillahiAnd for Allah
مُلْكُmul'ku(is the) kingdom
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwāti(of) the heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚwal-arḍiand the earth
يَغْفِرُyaghfiruHe forgives
لِمَنlimanwhom
يَشَآءُyashāuHe wills
وَيُعَذِّبُwayuʿadhibuand punishes
مَنmanwhom
يَشَآءُ ۚyashāuHe wills
وَكَانَwakānaAnd is
ٱللَّهُl-lahuAllah
غَفُورًۭاghafūranOft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمًۭاraḥīmanMost Merciful
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 14) ➊ { وَلِلّٰهِمُلْكُالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِ:} This was said to those desert Arabs who were left behind and mentioned above, that the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth belongs only to Allah. If you persist in hypocrisy and in refusing to go out for jihad with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), then no one has the power to save you from whatever punishment He wishes to inflict upon you, or if He wishes to forgive you for your remorse and repentance, then no one can prevent Him. ➋ { يَغْفِرُلِمَنْيَّشَآءُوَيُعَذِّبُمَنْيَّشَآءُ … :} In this, those Arabs are encouraged to repent and return to obedience to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), that there is still time to repent for staying behind from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), because Allah is forgiving to those who repent and merciful to them, and this attribute of His is not just for today but has always been and will always be. ➌ { ’’ يَغْفِرُلِمَنْيَّشَآءُوَيُعَذِّبُمَنْيَّشَآءُ ‘‘} The division shows that among those who stayed behind, some will repent from hypocrisy and be blessed with the gift of sincerity and will benefit from Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, and there will also be some who will not repent from hypocrisy and Allah will punish them. This is also made clear further in the verse: « قُلْلِّلْمُخَلَّفِيْنَمِنَالْاَعْرَابِ …».
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.
14. 1. In this, there is encouragement for the dissenters to repent and turn to Allah, that if they repent from hypocrisy, Allah will forgive them; He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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.
14. To Allah alone belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills, and He [16] is Forgiving and Merciful.
[16] That is, He can benefit whomever He wills, even if circumstances appear otherwise. Similarly, He can humiliate and disgrace whomever He wills, for this entire universe belongs to Him, and both apparent and hidden causes are under His control. He can dispose of them in any way He wishes. However, if you refrain from your misdeeds and inner malice, He will also forgive you, because in reality, He is pleased by showing kindness to His servants.