Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 40
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 {حَتّٰى يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِيْ سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ:} This is an idiom used for something that is absolutely impossible to happen. Neither can a camel enter through the eye of a needle, nor can they enter Paradise.
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.
40. 2. This is a case of تعليق بالمحال (ta'liq bil-muhal), just as it is impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, likewise it is impossible for the disbelievers to enter Paradise. The example of a camel is given because camels were familiar to the Arabs and, physically, it is a large animal, while the eye (hole) of a needle is unparalleled in its thinness and narrowness. By mentioning both, the meaning of تعليق بالمحال is made clear. تعليق بالمحال means to make something conditional upon something impossible, just as a camel cannot enter the eye of a needle. Now, making the occurrence of something conditional upon a camel entering the eye of a needle is تعليق بالمحال.
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.
[40] This is an Arabic idiom used in the context of something impossible to accomplish, meaning just as it is impossible for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle, in the same way, it is impossible for people of satanic character to enter Paradise. In fact, entry into Paradise is out of the question; when the angels take the soul of such people towards the heavens, even the door of the sky is not opened for them, whereas the righteous are given a grand welcome. The soul of the wicked is thrown down from there, and after failing the test of the grave, it is imprisoned in Sijjin. The meaning of ﴿وَلَجَ﴾ is to enter, squeeze into, or attempt to enter a tight place, like a sword entering its sheath or rainwater entering the earth. And the meaning of awlaja is to insert something into a tight place or to push it in, as in the divine statement: ﴿يُوْلِجُ الَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُوْلِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي الَّيْلِ ۭ﴾ [الحديد: 6] meaning Allah causes the night to enter into the day and the day into the night. The same subject is mentioned by Allah in another place as follows: ﴿يُكَوِّرُ الَّيْلَ عَلَي النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَي الَّيْلِ﴾ [الزمر: 5] meaning He wraps the night over the day and the day over the night. And ﴿يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِيْ سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ﴾ [7۔ الاعراف: 40] is an Arabic idiom.
