سُوْرَةُ الْمَعَارِجِ

Surah Al-Ma'aarij (70) — Ayah 37

The Ascending Stairways · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 569

عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ عِزِينَ ﴿37﴾
(Sitting) in groups on the right and on the left (of you, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)?
عَنِ ʿani On
ٱلْيَمِينِ l-yamīni the right
وَعَنِ waʿani and on
ٱلشِّمَالِ l-shimāli the left
عِزِينَ ʿizīna (in) separate groups

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.

37. 1. This refers to the disbelievers of the time of the Prophet ﷺ, who would rush to attend your gatherings, but instead of acting upon your words after listening, they would mock them and split into groups. And they claimed that if the Muslims entered Paradise, they would enter Paradise before them. Allah refuted their false assumption in the next verse.

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.

37. Coming in crowds from the right and from the left [22],

[22] When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would stand to recite the Quran to the people, to admonish and advise them, and to describe the conditions of the Day of Judgment—and for this purpose, he would usually stand at or near the Ka’bah—the disbelievers, upon hearing his voice, would rush towards him from all directions. Upon arriving, sometimes they would start making noise, sometimes they would clap, and sometimes they would mock. The purpose of these actions was that, firstly, no one should be able to hear the Quran, and if anyone did hear something, they would not accept its effect.