سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْرَافِ

Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 166

The Heights · Meccan · Juz 9 · Page 172

فَلَمَّا عَتَوْا۟ عَن مَّا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ قُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا۟ قِرَدَةً خَـٰسِـِٔينَ ﴿166﴾
So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected."
فَلَمَّا falammā So when
عَتَوْا۟ ʿataw they exceeded all bounds
عَن ʿan about
مَّا what
نُهُوا۟ nuhū they were forbidden
عَنْهُ ʿanhu from it
قُلْنَا qul'nā We said
لَهُمْ lahum to them
كُونُوا۟ kūnū Be
قِرَدَةً qiradatan apes
خَـٰسِـِٔينَ khāsiīna despised

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

166. 1. The meaning of عَتَوا is those who exceeded the limits in disobedience to Allah. There is a difference among the commentators regarding whether only those who forbade (evil) were the ones who attained salvation, and the other two groups were subjected to Allah's punishment; or whether only the sinners were subjected to punishment, and the other two groups were among those who attained salvation. Imam Ibn Kathir has preferred the second opinion.

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.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).