Surah Al-Mujaadila (58) — Ayah 7
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 { اَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِي الْاَرْضِ:} That is, Allah Almighty not only knows their deeds but also every small and large thing in the heavens and the earth.
➌ From here until verse (19), the conduct of the hypocrites is continuously criticized.
➍ {مَا يَكُوْنُ مِنْ نَّجْوٰى ثَلٰثَةٍ اِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ …: ’’ نَجَا يَنْجُوْ نَجْوًا وَنَجْوٰي وَ نَاجٰي مُنَاجَاةً وَ نِجَاءً، الرَّجُلَ ‘‘} To speak secretly to someone, hiding one's inner thoughts from others. {’’ نَجْوٰى ‘‘} This is a verbal noun, meaning whispering. Most often, it is used for whisperings and conspiracies related to evil deeds, such as theft, robbery, murder, or secretly consulting to harm someone. Its use in good deeds is rare, because generally there is no need to hide them. That is, whether it is a gathering of a few or many people, any whispering or the most secret consultation, nothing is hidden from Allah Almighty, and Allah is with them. In fact, whenever three people are consulting secretly, the fourth is Allah Almighty; and whenever five people are consulting secretly, the sixth is Allah Almighty; and whether they are fewer or more, wherever they are, Allah is with them, and Allah Almighty is fully aware of everything. For the commentary of {’’ اِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ ‘‘}, see the commentary of Surah Al-Hadid (4).
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.
7. 2. Whether in solitude or in public, in cities or in deserts and wilderness, in populated areas or in uninhabited mountains and wastelands, wherever they may be, they cannot remain hidden from Him.
7. 3. That is, accordingly, He will reward each one: the righteous will be rewarded for their good deeds and the wicked will be punished for their evil deeds.
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.
[8]
Consultation, the Number of Advisors, and Advocates of Democracy:
The actual purpose of this verse is to make it clear that a person can never hide from Allah at any time or in any situation. And if he says anything, Allah is also hearing it. Therefore, a person should always avoid sinful deeds and sinful speech. In this verse, Allah Almighty has mentioned three and five, that is, odd numbers. He has not mentioned even numbers like two and four, etc. From this, some people have understood that consultation should be sought from an odd number of people. Consultation cannot be done with just one person, and if there are two people consulting and they disagree, no decision can be reached. And if there are three, and two are of one opinion, then their opinion will be more valid than one, and further, they have tried to prove the principle of decision by majority opinion. This argument is wrong in several respects. First, the meaning of "najwa" is whispering, secret conversation, and telling or saying confidential things to each other. And this word is mostly used in a negative sense, unless there is some context, and this whispering can occur between two people, three, or four as well. Second, the words of the verse ﴿وَلَآ اَدْنٰي مِنْ ذٰلِكَ وَلَآ اَكْثَرَ﴾ invalidate the argument of these people. Less than three is two, and more is four. Less than five is four, and more is six, and so on. Third, the mention of only odd numbers is related to the custom and eloquence of the Arabs; it has nothing to do with the number of advisors. Thus, where Allah Almighty has mentioned the number of the Companions of the Cave, there too only three, five, or seven are mentioned. Although there is no matter there that relates to consultation.
