Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Then He causes him to die and puts him in his grave.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ثُمَّthummaThen
أَمَاتَهُۥamātahuHe causes him to die
فَأَقْبَرَهُۥfa-aqbarahuand provides a grave for him
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 21) { ثُمَّاَمَاتَهٗفَاَقْبَرَهٗ :} Then He caused him to die, which was necessary due to the wisdom of the Hereafter, then had him placed in the grave. If He had not bestowed this favor, he would have remained lying on the earth like animals, becoming putrid and a source of harm for Allah’s creation. He would be dishonored, exposed, and beasts would tear him apart. {’’قَبَرَهٗ‘‘} Placed in the grave and {’’أَقْبَرَهٗ‘‘} had him placed in the grave. If someone is burned, drowned, or eaten by beasts, then wherever his remains are, that is his grave. If someone cannot be buried, it does not mean that he did not receive a grave.
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.
21. Then He caused him to die and laid him [14] in the grave.
[14] It is also Allah’s favor to give death to man and to provide a grave for him:
From this verse, it is understood that it is also Allah’s favor to give death to man and to provide him with a grave. The favor of death can be gauged from the fact that when a sick person is lying on his deathbed, writhing in agony, extremely restless due to pain, but death does not come to him. The family members are also troubled due to the prolonged illness. Immense expenses are incurred on the illness, and they are unable to do any other work. At that time, they also pray from their hearts that the dying person may be granted death so that he may be relieved from pain and his family may also be freed from worries. Furthermore, if man were not to die, this earth would become too narrow for mankind. Similarly, it is a great blessing of Allah to provide man with a grave or to remove his existence from the face of the earth. Otherwise, while the loss of a loved one is an unforgettable shock for the relatives of the deceased, they would not be able to bear seeing the changes that occur in the body after death. The dishonor of the corpse before the living would become an even more excruciating pain for them. It should be noted that by “grave” is not meant only a pit in the ground, but the depths of the sea, the blaze of fire, and the belly of beasts—all are included in the ruling of a grave.