Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 98
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.
➋ {وَ يَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ الدَّوَآىِٕرَ: ’’ الدَّوَآىِٕرَ ‘‘ ’’دَائِرَةٌ‘‘} is the plural of {’’دَارَ يَدُوْرُ دَوْرًا‘‘}, which is an active participle from (to revolve), a cycle, one who revolves, meaning they are waiting for when a sudden calamity befalls you and when you fall into the grip of some cycle of time and become a victim of decline, or when the Prophet (peace be upon him) passes away and the polytheists gain dominance over you. In reality, Allah is not only hearing their verbal abuse and inner ill-will, but is hearing every word and knows everything.
➌ {عَلَيْهِمْ دَآىِٕرَةُ السَّوْءِ: ’’ السَّوْءِ ‘‘ سَاءَهُ يَسُوْءُهُ سَوْءً ‘‘} with a fathah on the seen is a verbal noun, when someone is treated in a way that displeases him, and with a dammah on the seen it is a noun of action, meaning this evil cycle is about to come upon them, or it is a supplication that the evil cycle comes upon them. But Allah has no need for supplication; in this case, the meaning will be that their ill-will demands that this supplication be made against them, that the evil cycle turns upon them.
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.
98. 2. غُرْم means penalty and fine. That is, such an expense which a person is compelled to bear with great reluctance.
98. 3. دَوَائِرُ is the plural of دَائِرَۃ, meaning the turns of time, i.e., calamities and hardships; that is, they wait for the Muslims to become victims of the turns of time, meaning calamities.
98. 4. This is either a curse or a statement that the turn of time will fall upon them, because they alone are deserving of it.
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.
[109]
Bedouin Hypocrites and Zakat:
That is, they entered Islam only to gain some worldly benefits, but along with those benefits, they also had to give something in return. So they began to think that they were better off before, therefore they sat waiting for some turn of events, hoping for the end of Islam and to be freed from its obligations, especially zakat, which they considered a penalty and paid with extreme displeasure and reluctance. Then, when a year and a half or two years later, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away, these people considered this an opportunity and, at their very first chance, some of them turned away from Islam altogether and chose the path of disbelief, while others refused to pay zakat. It was against these people that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ waged jihad.
[110]
The Disgrace of the Bedouin Hypocrites:
One punishment they are receiving is that, despite being hypocrites, they are still required to fulfill the obligations of Islam. And when these people chose the path of refusing zakat or apostasy, jihad was waged against them. In this, they were defeated. Allah had decreed that Islam would be exalted. Those who were killed perished, and those who survived were humiliated and disgraced, and they had to pay the full zakat.
