سُوْرَةُ التَّوْبَةِ

Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 121

The Repentance · Medinan · Juz 11 · Page 206

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وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً وَلَا يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿121﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Nor do they spend anything (in Allâh’s Cause) - small or great - nor cross a valley, but is written to their credit that Allâh may recompense them with the best of what they used to do (i.e. Allâh will reward their good deeds according to the reward of their best deeds which they did in the most perfect manner).

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

وَلَا walā And not
يُنفِقُونَ yunfiqūna they spend
نَفَقَةًۭ nafaqatan any spending
صَغِيرَةًۭ ṣaghīratan small
وَلَا walā and not
كَبِيرَةًۭ kabīratan big
وَلَا walā and not
يَقْطَعُونَ yaqṭaʿūna they cross
وَادِيًا wādiyan a valley
إِلَّا illā but
كُتِبَ kutiba is recorded
لَهُمْ lahum for them
لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ liyajziyahumu that Allah may reward them
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu that Allah may reward them
أَحْسَنَ aḥsana the best
مَا mā (of) what
كَانُوا۟ kānū they used (to)
يَعْمَلُونَ yaʿmalūna do

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 121) ➊ {وَ لَا يُنْفِقُوْنَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيْرَةً … :} In the previous verse, there are also those actions in jihad that are within a person's control and those that occur without choice, such as difficulties and hardships. In this verse, only those actions are mentioned that are within a person's control, but are the foundation of striving in the way of Allah, that is, spending on travel provisions, mounts, and weapons as available, then setting out on the journey of jihad, and traversing jungles and valleys—everything is recorded.

➋ In this battle, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) contributed the most in preparing the army, that is, “major expenditure” (nfaqah kabirah), and he mentioned this to the companions when the rebels besieged him, saying: Do you know that I prepared the provisions for the {’’جَيْشُ الْعُسْرَةِ‘‘} (the army at the time of hardship)? All the companions acknowledged this. [ ترمذی، المناقب، باب فی عد عثمان تسمیتہ شہیدا… : ۳۶۹۹، وحسنہ الألبانی ] The details are that Abdur Rahman bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) brought one thousand dinars in his sleeve, and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was preparing the {’’جَيْشُ الْعُسْرَةِ‘‘}, he placed them in the Prophet’s lap. Abdur Rahman bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: Then I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) turning them over in his lap and saying: “After today, whatever Uthman does will not harm him.” He said this twice. [ترمذی، المناقب، باب فی عد عثمان تسمیتہ شہیدا… : ۳۷۰۰، ۳۷۰۱، و حسنہ الألبانی] And those who spent little (nfaqah saghirah) were also there, who worked all night and brought half a sa’ (1 kg) of dates. See the commentary of Surah Tawbah, verse (79).

➌ {وَ لَا يَقْطَعُوْنَ وَادِيًا اِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ:} The plain between mountains and the passage of water is called a valley, meaning that every valley they cross is recorded in their book of deeds.

➍ { لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ اللّٰهُ اَحْسَنَ … :} All this is recorded so that Allah Almighty may grant them the best possible reward for any deed.

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.

121. 1. The plains of the mountains and the passage of water are called valleys. Here, it refers to valleys and regions in general. That is, whatever you spend in the way of Allah, whether little or much, and however many fields you traverse (meaning, whether you travel a little or a lot in jihad), all these good deeds will be recorded in your book of deeds, for which Allah will grant the best of rewards.

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.

121. And whatever they (the fighters) spend, whether little or much [138], or whatever valley they cross, it is all recorded in their favor, so that Allah may reward them with the best of what they used to do.

[138] In the first verse, the recording of righteous deeds in return for every voluntary and involuntary action was mentioned. In this verse, specifically those deeds are mentioned which can only be voluntary and are the foundation of striving in the way of Allah. That is, whatever is possible, they spend on provisions for the journey, mounts, and weapons. Then they actually set out on the journey of jihad. Allah will surely grant them a better reward for these deeds, meaning these actions are of a higher rank among righteous deeds. And its second meaning could also be that whatever the best possible reward for these deeds is, Allah will grant them that.
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