سُوْرَةُ التَّوْبَةِ

Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 61

The Repentance · Medinan · Juz 10 · Page 196

وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿61﴾
And among them are men who annoy the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and say: "He is (lending his) ear (to every news)." Say: "He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allâh, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe." But those who annoy Allâh’s Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will have a painful torment. [See V.33:57]
وَمِنْهُمُ wamin'humu And among them
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna (are) those who
يُؤْذُونَ yu'dhūna hurt
ٱلنَّبِىَّ l-nabiya the Prophet
وَيَقُولُونَ wayaqūlūna and they say
هُوَ huwa He is
أُذُنٌۭ ۚ udhunun (all) ear
قُلْ qul Say
أُذُنُ udhunu An ear
خَيْرٍۢ khayrin (of) goodness
لَّكُمْ lakum for you
يُؤْمِنُ yu'minu he believes
بِٱللَّهِ bil-lahi in Allah
وَيُؤْمِنُ wayu'minu and believes
لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ lil'mu'minīna the believers
وَرَحْمَةٌۭ waraḥmatun and (is) a mercy
لِّلَّذِينَ lilladhīna to those who
ءَامَنُوا۟ āmanū believe
مِنكُمْ ۚ minkum among you
وَٱلَّذِينَ wa-alladhīna And those who
يُؤْذُونَ yu'dhūna hurt
رَسُولَ rasūla (the) Messenger
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
لَهُمْ lahum for them
عَذَابٌ ʿadhābun (is) a punishment
أَلِيمٌۭ alīmun painful

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.

(Ayah61) ➊ {وَ مِنْهُمُ الَّذِيْنَ يُؤْذُوْنَ النَّبِيَّ … :} Zamakhshari said {’’ اُذُنٌ ‘‘} (ear) is that person who listens to everyone and considers it true. Because of constantly listening, that person has been named "ear," just as the work of a spy is related to the eye, so he is called "Ayn" (eye). The intention of these hypocrites was that you are gullible, you listen to everyone and trust what they say. See how distressing this comment is about him. For those who hurt the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), in Surah Al-Ahzab (57), Allah's curse and a humiliating punishment in this world and the Hereafter is mentioned, and here a painful punishment is stated for them.

{قُلْ اُذُنُ خَيْرٍ:} That is, yes, your statement is correct to the extent that Muhammad (peace be upon him) listens to everyone and remains silent, but this accusation is not correct that he trusts everything he hears. He only trusts what is true and real, which is told by the true believers. He listens to falsehood but deals with it with patience and forgiveness; this is better for you. Otherwise, if he were to immediately hold you accountable for every lie he heard, then because of your false excuses, you would have either long been killed or expelled from Madinah.

{ وَ رَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ:} Here, those who claim to believe are meant, even if they are not believers at heart; for such people, being a mercy means that he does not expose their secrets but gives them a chance to reform themselves. (Fath al-Qadeer)

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.

61. 1 From here, the mention of the hypocrites is resumed. One slander they made against the Prophet ﷺ was that he is credulous (easily influenced), meaning that he listens to everyone (they were deceived by the Prophet’s ﷺ forbearance, generosity, and forgiveness). Allah said that no, Our Messenger does not listen to any talk of evil and mischief; whatever he listens to is for your own good and benefit.

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.

61. And among them are those who hurt the Prophet and say, "He is all ears." Say, "His listening is for your own good [74]. He believes in Allah and trusts the words of the believers [75], and he is a mercy to those of you who believe." But those who hurt the Messenger of Allah will have a painful punishment.

[74]
The Hypocrites Calling You "All-Ears" and Its Response:

The hypocrites complained about the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he listens to everyone and then considers what he hears to be correct. In reality, their desire was that the Prophet ﷺ should not trust those Muslims who keep informing him about the conspiracies and mischiefs of people like themselves, whom they consider honorable. In response, Allah Almighty said that the Prophet being like this is actually better for you. You make false claims of faith before him, swear false oaths about being well-wishers of the Muslims, and make false excuses to avoid jihad. Yet, he deals with you patiently. If he were to start investigating every matter immediately, you would be the first to be ruined.

[75]
The Word of the God-Fearing is Trustworthy:

That is, the Messenger listens to everyone, but he only trusts those who are true believers, who fear Allah, and who avoid lying and tale-bearing. Therefore, if they inform him about your mischief and hostile activities, their information is indeed trustworthy.