Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 66
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 {لَاَكَلُوْا مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَ مِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِهِمْ:} That is, the sky would send down blessed rains, the earth would produce abundant crops and other treasures, and they would not face any kind of difficulty in earning their livelihood. As mentioned in Surah Al-A’raf, not only for the People of the Book but for every nation and community, the same glad tidings are given in the case of faith and piety, as He said: «وَ لَوْ اَنَّ اَهْلَ الْقُرٰۤى اٰمَنُوْا وَ اتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكٰتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَ الْاَرْضِ » [ الأعراف : ۹۶ ] “And if only the people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, We would certainly have opened up to them blessings from the sky and the earth.” Now, if Muslims also wish to attain this blessing, the way is faith and piety, not begging from the disbelievers or adopting their disbelieving ways.
➌ {مِنْهُمْ اُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ:} That is, those who walk the middle path, avoiding excess and deficiency. By them are meant those People of the Book who became Muslims, such as Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) and his companions.
➍ {وَ كَثِيْرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُوْنَ:} By this are meant the remaining Jews who did not believe.
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.
66. 2 The mention of above and below is either for emphasis, meaning that Allah Almighty provides abundant and various types of sustenance, or above refers to the sky, meaning that He sends down plenty of rain as needed, and "below" refers to the earth, meaning that the earth absorbs this rain and produces abundant crops. As a result, there is prosperity and abundance, and crops are harvested. Just as it is stated at another place: "If the people of the towns had believed and adopted piety, We would have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth."
66. 3 But the majority of them did not choose the path of faith, and they persisted in their disbelief and denial of the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. This persistence and denial is referred to here as evil deeds. The group of moderate conduct refers to individuals like Abdullah bin Salam, about 8 or 9 people, who among the Jews of Madinah became Muslim.
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.
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The Effects of Good and Bad Deeds on the Heart and the Atmospheres:
Although this address apparently is to the People of the Book, in which the Jews and Christians are addressed, however, this command is general; that is, any nation that follows the Book of Allah with a true heart, complete honesty, and sincerity, showers of mercy will descend upon them from above, and fruits and produce will be abundantly produced from the earth below. Earthly and heavenly blessings will descend. Calamities will be removed. Everyone will receive sustenance in abundance. As mentioned in the hadith, by establishing one of the limits of Allah, so much mercy and blessings descend as descend from forty days of rain. From this verse, it is understood that one result of obedience to Allah, submission, and good deeds is that it affects a person's heart, making it sound, content, patient, and grateful. The second result of these deeds is manifested in the atmospheres of the universe, through which the blessings and mercies of Allah descend. Similarly, one result of disobedience to Allah, rebellion, and disbelief is that it affects a person's heart, making it wretched, dark, and distressed, and the second result is manifested in the atmospheres, through which curses descend upon such people and calamities begin to befall them. These atmospheric effects occur both individually and collectively. Then, when the bucket of a nation is filled with sins, that is the time when the divine punishment descends upon them.
