Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So I swear by the Lord of all the [three hundred and sixty-five (365)] points of sunrise and sunset in the east and the west that surely We are Able
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَآfalāBut nay
أُقْسِمُuq'simuI swear
بِرَبِّbirabbiby (the) Lord
ٱلْمَشَـٰرِقِl-mashāriqi(of) the risings
وَٱلْمَغَـٰرِبِwal-maghāribiand the settings
إِنَّاinnāthat We
لَقَـٰدِرُونَlaqādirūna(are) surely Able
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.
(Ayah 41,40){ فَلَاۤاُقْسِمُبِرَبِّالْمَشٰرِقِ … :} The sun rises from a new place in the east every day and sets in a new place in the west. Those places are also different according to every city and every location, so the number of easts and wests cannot even be estimated. Before the oath, {’’لَا‘‘} is said to negate the statement of the deniers, then by swearing by the Lord of the easts and wests, it is stated that We are capable of destroying them and bringing better people in their place, and We are not powerless at all. The relevance of the oath is that We are the Lord of the easts and wests, the heavens and the earth and the sun, etc., all are under Our control, no one can overpower Us or escape Our grasp. We can destroy them whenever We wish and can bring better people in their place, but due to Our wisdom, We have given them respite. From this oath and its answer, another point also emerges that when We can create a completely new and better creation than them, then why can We not recreate them?
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
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. So I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests [25] that We are surely able
[25] The east generally refers to the place where the sun rises, and the west to the place where the sun sets. In Surah Al-Muzzammil, one east and one west are mentioned. In Surah Ar-Rahman, two easts and two wests are mentioned. And at this place, many easts and many wests are mentioned. The reason for this is that on the shortest day of winter, that is, December 22, although the sun rises from the east, it is greatly inclined towards the south. Similarly, on that day, the sun's setting in the west is also greatly inclined towards the south. In the same way, on the longest day of summer, that is, June 22, although the sun rises from the direction of the east, it is greatly inclined towards the north, and likewise, on that day, when it sets in the west, it is greatly inclined towards the north. And on the days when day and night are equal, that is, March 22 and September 22, the sun rises exactly from the east and sets exactly in the west, as is clear from the map in front: For the map, refer to the original book. In this map, the points "A" and "B" are the two easts, and the points "C" and "D" are the two wests. Then, between these two easts and two wests, there are 365 easts and just as many wests, because the sun rises every day from a new angle. This situation is only for one planet, the sun. Whereas, many planets rise from the east and set in the west. In this way, the number of easts and wests increases greatly.