Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death); they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): "Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْwalawAnd if
تَرَىٰٓtarāyou (could) see
إِذْidhwhen
يَتَوَفَّىyatawaffātake away souls
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīna(of) those who
كَفَرُوا۟ ۙkafarūdisbelieve
ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُl-malāikatuthe Angels
يَضْرِبُونَyaḍribūnastriking
وُجُوهَهُمْwujūhahumtheir faces
وَأَدْبَـٰرَهُمْwa-adbārahumand their backs
وَذُوقُوا۟wadhūqūTaste
عَذَابَʿadhāba(the) punishment
ٱلْحَرِيقِl-ḥarīqi(of) the Blazing Fire
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 50){ وَلَوْتَرٰۤىاِذْيَتَوَفَّىالَّذِيْنَكَفَرُوا … :} After describing some conditions of the lives of the disbelievers, their state at the time of death is described. Although this verse has appeared here in connection with the incident of Badr, and for this reason some commentators have considered it to refer to the disbelievers of Badr, but due to the general wording, it describes the state of every disbeliever at the time of death. It is stated that when the angels seize the souls of the disbelievers, the way they strike their faces and backs, and the way they scold and deal harshly with them—if only you could see that scene, because hearing about it is not the same as seeing it, as Allah Almighty has mentioned the same thing in Surah Al-An'am (93) and Surah Muhammad (27, 28), and in the ahadith, the scene of the disbeliever's soul being taken is described as extremely terrifying.
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.
50. 1. Some commentators have considered this regarding the polytheists killed in the Battle of Badr. It is narrated from Ibn Abbas that when the polytheists would come towards the Muslims, the Muslims would strike their faces with swords, and to escape, they would turn their backs and flee, so the angels would strike their backs with swords. However, this verse is general and includes every disbeliever and polytheist, and the meaning is that at the time of death, the angels strike their faces and backs (or buttocks). Just as it is also stated in Surah An'am: (وَالْمَلٰۗىِٕكَةُبَاسِطُوْٓااَيْدِيْهِمْ) 6. Al-An'am: 93) "The angels stretch forth their hands to strike them." And according to some, this striking by the angels will be when they are being driven towards Hell on the Day of Resurrection, and the keeper of Hell will say, "Taste the punishment of burning."
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.
50. If only you could see when the angels are taking the souls of those disbelievers who were killed [55], striking their faces and their backs, and saying, "Taste now the punishment of the burning fire."
[55] In terms of the context, the meaning is that in this verse, the address is directed towards those disbelievers who were killed in the Battle of Badr, as is apparent from the translation. However, the ruling is general. Such an event can happen to all disbelievers: at the time of their death, the angels may strike their faces and backs, give them the news of the punishment of Hell, and say that this punishment is a result of their own evil deeds, and that otherwise, Allah Almighty has no desire to punish them.
