Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if they had patience till you could come out to them, it would have been better for them. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْwalawAnd if
أَنَّهُمْannahumthey
صَبَرُوا۟ṣabarūhad been patient
حَتَّىٰḥattāuntil
تَخْرُجَtakhrujayou came out
إِلَيْهِمْilayhimto them
لَكَانَlakānacertainly it would be
خَيْرًۭاkhayranbetter
لَّهُمْ ۚlahumfor them
وَٱللَّهُwal-lahuAnd Allah
غَفُورٌۭghafūrun(is) Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭraḥīmunMost 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 5) ➊ { وَلَوْاَنَّهُمْصَبَرُوْاحَتّٰىتَخْرُجَاِلَيْهِمْ …:} That is, if instead of calling out, they had been patient and waited for you, O Prophet (peace be upon him), to come out, it would have been better for them, because in this patience and waiting, and in observing respect for you (peace be upon him), they would have received reward and merit. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would have met them with greater cheerfulness and fulfilled their needs in a better way. Obviously, the person upon whom the burden of the entire Ummah’s responsibility rests, and who is always engaged in this concern and action, if, when he is at home, people start calling out to him without considering whether he is resting or occupied with some household matter, then the good that was expected to be obtained from him through patience and waiting cannot be hoped for. From this, there is also a lesson in honoring respected teachers, scholars, and the leaders and elders of the Muslims.
➋ { وَاللّٰهُغَفُوْرٌرَّحِيْمٌ:} That is, the truth is that these people should have received some punishment from Allah Almighty for their disrespect, but since this act was committed out of foolishness and not out of ill intent, therefore, at the end, by mentioning His being Forgiving and Merciful, He indicated their forgiveness.
➌ When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was alive and a voice from outside the wall could reach him, at that time Allah Almighty declared those who called out to him as foolish. So now, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has passed away and it is no longer possible for him to hear us or for us to hear him, as He said: « وَمِنْوَّرَآىِٕهِمْبَرْزَخٌاِلٰىيَوْمِيُبْعَثُوْنَ»[المؤمنون: ۱۰۰] “And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected,” then those who now, from thousands of miles away, call out to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and call out for things that no one but Allah Almighty can fulfill, what doubt can there be in their being {’’ لَايَعْقِلُوْنَ ‘‘} (foolish)?
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.
5. 1 That is, if they had waited for your ﷺ coming out and had not hurried in calling you ﷺ, it would have been better in both religious and worldly terms. 5. 2 Therefore, they were not held accountable, but for the future, the emphasis on respect and reverence was stated.
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.
If they had been patient until you [5] came out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allah is Forgiving [6], Merciful.
[5] The Requirements of Etiquette When Calling from the House; The Manner of Speaking to the Prophet Should Be Polite:
Some people from Banu Tamim came to you ﷺ right at midday when you ﷺ were resting, and they began to shout loudly: "O Muhammad ﷺ! Come outside to us. We have a great reputation and our greatness is immense." From their manner of calling, it was clear that they were Bedouins, uncivilized and rough, wild people who neither knew the proper way to call someone from their house nor how to converse. Compared to others, they considered themselves to be something special. It is likely that these people had already become Muslim and had come with a request to appoint a chief for their tribe, as is made clear from the hadith mentioned in footnote 2 of this surah. Then, this matter was not limited to just these people; most Bedouins would call you from your house and converse in this same crude manner, and due to your natural modesty and shyness, you would not say anything to them. Such impolite, uncouth, and foolish types of people are being admonished through this verse that when they address the Messenger, they should keep in mind that the one they wish to speak to is not an ordinary person but the Messenger of Allah and His representative. His status is far higher and greater than the officers and kings of the world, and it is quite possible that if you are disrespectful or insolent towards his status, you may have to worry about your very faith. Therefore, the correct way for you people to call the Messenger ﷺ from the house is to stand outside the chamber and send word inside or call out in a polite manner. Then wait for a while; it is possible that he may be engaged in some other work. Then, when he comes out, whatever you wish to say, say it in a courteous manner.
[6] That is, if you observe these etiquettes in the future, Allah will forgive your past mistakes.