Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Allâh has forgiven the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Muhâjirûn (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the time of distress (Tabûk expedition), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَّقَدlaqadVerily
تَّابَtābaAllah turned (in mercy)
ٱللَّهُl-lahuAllah turned (in mercy)
عَلَىʿalāto
ٱلنَّبِىِّl-nabiyithe Prophet
وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَwal-muhājirīnaand the emigrants
وَٱلْأَنصَارِwal-anṣāriand the helpers
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīna[those] who
ٱتَّبَعُوهُittabaʿūhufollowed him
فِىfīin
سَاعَةِsāʿati(the) hour
ٱلْعُسْرَةِl-ʿus'rati(of) difficulty
مِنۢminafter
بَعْدِbaʿdiafter
مَاmā[what]
كَادَkādahad nearly
يَزِيغُyazīghudeviated
قُلُوبُqulūbu(the) hearts
فَرِيقٍۢfarīqin(of) a party
مِّنْهُمْmin'humof them
ثُمَّthummathen
تَابَtābaHe turned (in mercy)
عَلَيْهِمْ ۚʿalayhimto them
إِنَّهُۥinnahuIndeed, He
بِهِمْbihimto them
رَءُوفٌۭraūfun(is) Most Kind
رَّحِيمٌۭraḥīmunMost Merciful
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.
The meanings of {لَقَدْتَّابَاللّٰهُعَلَىالنَّبِيِّ …: ’’ تَابَ ‘‘} include to return, to be merciful, to seek forgiveness, to forgive, to refrain from future mistakes, and to accept repentance. In this verse, the meaning of Allah being merciful to His Messenger (peace be upon him) and to the Muhajirun and Ansar, and forgiving them, is understood from the words of {’’ فِيْسَاعَةِالْعُسْرَةِ ‘‘ }. The time of hardship refers to the departure for the Battle of Tabuk, when it was extremely hot, there was famine, the crops were about to ripen, and there was a state of destitution. On the other hand, there was a long and arduous journey of six hundred kilometers ahead. There was only one camel for ten people, and there was severe scarcity of mounts, provisions, and water. Thus, at that time, even some sincere and devoted Muslims began to hesitate to set out for jihad. Eventually, the strength of their faith overcame their souls, and they set out for jihad with full determination. Here, Allah’s mercy means that Allah granted them courage and bravery to depart in that state of anxiety, and He also forgave the fears that arose in their hearts. And Allah’s mercy upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) refers to that verse (43), which began in this way: «{ عَفَااللّٰهُعَنْكَلِمَاَذِنْتَلَهُمْ }» that Allah has forgiven you; why did you grant permission to those robust, healthy, and well-off hypocrites to stay behind from jihad?
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.
117. 1 The journey of the Battle of Tabuk has been called 'the time of hardship.' This is because, firstly, the weather was extremely hot; secondly, the crops were ready for harvest; thirdly, the journey was quite long; and fourthly, there was also a shortage of resources. That is why it is called (the caravan or army of hardship). For repentance, it is not necessary that a sin or mistake be committed first. Even without that, repentance is made for the elevation of ranks and for unintentional shortcomings. Here, the repentance of the earlier group of Muhajirin and Ansar is in this sense, that they responded to the Prophet’s ﷺ call for jihad without hesitation.
117. 2 This refers to the second group, who, due to the aforementioned reasons, initially hesitated. But then they soon overcame this state and willingly participated in jihad. The wavering in their hearts does not mean any wavering or doubt about the religion, but rather the hesitation and indecision in joining jihad due to the aforementioned worldly reasons is what is meant.
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.
117. Allah has certainly turned in mercy to the Prophet, the Emigrants, and the Helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship [133], after the hearts of a group of them had almost inclined to doubt. Then He turned to them in mercy. Surely, Allah is Most Kind and Merciful to the believers.
In this verse, the time of hardship refers to the time of departure for the Battle of Tabuk, when it was extremely hot, there was famine, the crops were about to ripen, there was a state of destitution, and the journey was long and arduous. Thus, at that time, even some true believers began to feel hesitant about setting out for jihad. Eventually, the strength of their faith overcame their souls, and they set out for jihad with full determination. Here, Allah’s mercy refers to the fact that Allah granted them courage and resolve to depart in that state of anxiety, and mercy upon the Prophet refers to the verse that began in this way: “May Allah forgive you; why did you grant leave to those strong, well-built, and well-fed hypocrites to stay behind from jihad?” [9: 43]
