Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimûn (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals.).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَاlā(Do) not
تَعْتَذِرُوا۟taʿtadhirūmake excuse
قَدْqadverily
كَفَرْتُمkafartumyou have disbelieved
بَعْدَbaʿdaafter
إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ ۚīmānikumyour belief
إِنinIf
نَّعْفُnaʿfuWe pardon
عَنʿan[on]
طَآئِفَةٍۢṭāifatina party
مِّنكُمْminkumof you
نُعَذِّبْnuʿadhibWe will punish
طَآئِفَةًۢṭāifatana party
بِأَنَّهُمْbi-annahumbecause they
كَانُوا۟kānūwere
مُجْرِمِينَmuj'rimīnacriminals
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.
(Ayah66) ➊ { لَاتَعْتَذِرُوْاقَدْكَفَرْتُمْبَعْدَاِيْمَانِكُمْ …:} Do not make excuses, plainly admit that you believed and then committed clear disbelief. Whoever mocks matters of the religion, even if he does not deny them in his heart, has become a disbeliever; even if this is not the case, then at the very least he is certainly a hypocrite. The main point is that it is necessary to remain respectful both outwardly and inwardly regarding matters of the religion. (Muwaddih)
➋ { اِنْنَّعْفُعَنْطَآىِٕفَةٍمِّنْكُمْ …:} That is, whoever repented from hypocrisy and lived a sincere life thereafter, We forgive him, but whoever persisted in his disbelief will surely be punished. See the mercy of Allah Almighty: even the hypocrites are promised forgiveness and encouraged to adopt sincerity, and from some narrations it is known that many hypocrites later became sincere Muslims.
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.
66. 1. That is, the faith you continued to profess—after mocking Allah and His Messenger—no longer holds any value. In the first place, it was also based on hypocrisy. However, due to it, you were outwardly counted among the Muslims, but now even that allowance has ended.
66. 2. This refers to those people who realized their mistake, repented, and became sincere Muslims.
66. 3. These are those people who were not granted the ability to repent and persisted in disbelief and hypocrisy; therefore, the reason for this punishment has also been stated: that they were sinners.
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.
66. Make no excuses. You have certainly disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon a group of you [79], We will punish another group, because they were truly guilty.
[79] By this group are meant those hypocrites who did not take part in such conversation. And it can also refer to the group who later actually abandoned the path of hypocrisy and truly became Muslims.