سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ

Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 23

The Table · Medinan · Juz 6 · Page 111

قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿23﴾
Two men of those who feared (Allâh and) on whom Allâh had bestowed His Grace (they were يوشع وكالب Yûsha‘ and Kâlab) said: "Assault them through the gate; for when you are in, victory will be yours; and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed."
قَالَ qāla Said
رَجُلَانِ rajulāni two men
مِنَ mina from
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
يَخَافُونَ yakhāfūna feared (Allah)
أَنْعَمَ anʿama (had) favored
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
عَلَيْهِمَا ʿalayhimā [on] both of them
ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ud'khulū Enter
عَلَيْهِمُ ʿalayhimu upon them
ٱلْبَابَ l-bāba (through) the gate
فَإِذَا fa-idhā then when
دَخَلْتُمُوهُ dakhaltumūhu you have entered it
فَإِنَّكُمْ fa-innakum then indeed, you (will be)
غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ ghālibūna victorious
وَعَلَى waʿalā And upon
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ fatawakkalū then put your trust
إِن in if
كُنتُم kuntum you are
مُّؤْمِنِينَ mu'minīna believers

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 23) {قَالَ رَجُلٰنِ:} Allah Almighty has mentioned these two men in the indefinite form, and their names have not been explicitly stated in any hadith either.

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.

23. 1. In the people of Musa ؑ, only these two persons turned out to be truly faithful, who had conviction in divine help. They explained to the people that you should have courage, then see how Allah grants you dominance.

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.

23. Then two men from among those who feared Allah, whom Allah had favored, said, "Enter the gate against them; for when you enter it, you will surely be victorious. And put your trust in Allah if you are believers."

[54] Among the twelve-member delegation that was sent to assess the political situation of Palestine, two men—Yusha‘ bin Nun and Kaleb—were included. Both of them were steadfast believers. Yusha‘ is most likely the same person who accompanied Sayyiduna Musa ؑ on his journey in search of Sayyiduna Khidr. Later, he also became his successor. In accordance with Musa’s ؑ instructions, these two did not publicize the situation there to the general people, but instead reported all the circumstances confidentially to Sayyiduna Musa ؑ. When they saw that their companions were displaying extreme cowardice, they said to their people: Since Allah has promised us victory and help, instead of fearing these tyrants, put your trust in Allah. Gather your courage and enter through the gate. If you muster this much bravery, surely Allah will help you and you will be victorious.
24. The people of the nation said: “As long as those tyrant people remain there, we will never enter [55]. Therefore, you and your Lord, both of you go and fight them. We will sit right here.”