Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 84
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
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.
84. 2 This is the reason for not offering the funeral prayer and not praying for forgiveness. Its meaning is that for those whose end is upon disbelief and wickedness, neither should their funeral prayer be offered nor is it permissible to pray for their forgiveness. In one hadith, it is even mentioned that when the Prophet ﷺ reached the graveyard, he found out that Abdullah bin Ubayy had already been buried, so he ﷺ had him exhumed, placed him on his knees, put his saliva on him, and clothed him in his shirt (Sahih Bukhari). From this, it is understood that whoever is deprived of faith, even the prayer for forgiveness and intercession of the greatest personality in the world will not benefit him.
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.
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Forgiveness is Futile for the Hypocrites:
This verse is connected to verse number 80 of this same surah. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed the funeral prayer for Abdullah bin Ubayy, it was because, although the hypocrites were disbelievers at heart, the outward legal rulings applied to them just as they did to true believers. And it is clear from the above-mentioned hadith that, especially regarding performing the funeral prayer and seeking forgiveness, the opinion of Sayyiduna Umar was different from the Prophet's ﷺ opinion, to the extent that Sayyiduna Umar even argued with him, and Allah Almighty revealed a revelation in accordance with Sayyiduna Umar’s opinion. One reason for this was that the period of adopting a lenient policy towards the hypocrites had passed, and adopting a strict attitude towards them was exactly in accordance with the divine will. Incidentally, from these verses it is understood that seeking forgiveness on behalf of a sinner by the Prophet ﷺ can result in his forgiveness. But there is no way for the forgiveness of those with corrupt beliefs, no matter how many times the Prophet ﷺ seeks forgiveness for them.
The Funeral Prayer for the Hypocrites:
Accordingly, after this command, the Prophet ﷺ stopped performing the funeral prayer for the hypocrites or seeking forgiveness for them. However, after the Prophet's ﷺ life, it is a very difficult task to declare anyone a hypocrite, because only Allah knows the conditions of hearts. And Sayyiduna Umar ؓ in his time used to observe whether Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Yaman ؓ participated in the funeral prayer or not. If he participated, then he would also participate, and this meant that the deceased was a believer, not a hypocrite, because Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ؓ had been informed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the identity of the hypocrites, and he was the “keeper of the Prophet’s secrets.”
