Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Then he became one of those who believed (in the Islamic Monotheism) and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ثُمَّthummaThen
كَانَkānahe is
مِنَminaof
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose who
ءَامَنُوا۟āmanūbelieve
وَتَوَاصَوْا۟watawāṣawand enjoin (each other)
بِٱلصَّبْرِbil-ṣabrito patience
وَتَوَاصَوْا۟watawāṣawand enjoin (each other)
بِٱلْمَرْحَمَةِbil-marḥamatito compassion
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 17) {ثُمَّكَانَمِنَالَّذِيْنَاٰمَنُوْا … :} To reach the heights of Paradise, it is not enough to free necks or feed the orphan and the needy, but along with these, faith is also necessary. If there is no faith, then no deed is accepted. (See Nisa: 144, Nahl: 97, Bani Isra'il: 19) Then, along with faith and righteous deeds, it is also necessary to enjoin and emphasize patience and mercy to one another. The same subject has been mentioned in Surah Asr.
The wording of {’’ ثُمَّكَانَمِنَالَّذِيْنَاٰمَنُوْا ‘‘} demands that among the necessary matters for climbing the difficult ascent, first is to free necks and feed the orphan or needy, then after that to bring faith and enjoin truth and mercy. However, the people of knowledge say that {’’ ثُمَّ ‘‘} is not always for chronological order; sometimes it is also for the order of mention, meaning that due to the context, something that comes later is mentioned first. Here, since spending is a very difficult task for the wealthy, it was mentioned first, then faith and enjoining truth and mercy were mentioned, because without faith, freeing necks, feeding, or any good deed is fruitless.
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.
17. 1 From this it is understood that the aforementioned good deeds will be beneficial and a cause of success in the Hereafter only when the one performing them is a believer.
17. 2 It is a characteristic of the people of faith that they advise one another to patience and mercy.
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.
17. Then (along with this) he became one of those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to mercy. [12]
[12] Which Qualities Are Necessary for ﴿اصحاب اليمين﴾:
Many things are understood from this verse. One is that no matter how many good deeds a person performs, unless he is a believer, and does not have faith in Allah and the Last Day, his deeds will be of no use in the Hereafter; rather, they will be wasted. Secondly, it is not enough to merely have faith, but it is also necessary to join with other believers so that, in the path of making Islam dominant and keeping it dominant, the difficulties that arise can be collectively resisted. Thirdly, in the view of Islam, collective life is preferred, so that all members of the Islamic society can share in each other's sorrows and joys. In this regard, consider a few hadiths:
1. Abu Musa Ash'ari ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "A Muslim is for another Muslim like a building, one part of which strengthens the other." Then he interlaced his fingers. [بخاری کتاب الادب باب تعاون المومنین بعضھم بعضاً]
2. Anas bin Malik ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not harbor malice or envy among yourselves. Do not cut off relations, and be, O servants of Allah, brothers to one another. And it is not permissible for a Muslim to cut off relations with his Muslim brother for more than three days." [بخاري كتاب الادب باب ما ينتهي عن التحاسد]
Fourthly, Muslims not only practice patience themselves but also constantly encourage one another to be patient. And the concept of patience is very broad. The entire life of a Muslim is patience upon patience. Enduring the difficulties encountered in the path of Islam with a cheerful heart is also patience, and remaining steadfast and committed to the commands of Shariah is also patience.
Fifthly, they show mercy to one another and constantly urge each other to be merciful. Thus, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
1. "Whoever does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy (by Allah)." [بخاری کتاب الادب باب رحمۃ الناس والبہائم]
And in another narration, the words are: "Show mercy to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will show mercy to you."
2. "Muslims, in showing mercy, friendship, and kindness to one another, are like a single body; when one limb is in pain, the whole body becomes restless, loses sleep, and develops a fever." [حواله ايضاً]
3. Once, a man was traveling and became extremely thirsty. He found a well, went down into it, and drank water. When he came out, he saw a dog licking mud out of thirst. He thought, 'This dog is suffering from thirst just as I was.' He went back into the well, filled his sock with water, held it in his mouth, climbed up, and gave the dog water to drink. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him. The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in showing mercy to animals as well?" He replied, "There is a reward for showing kindness to every living being." [حواله ايضاً]
4. Once, the Prophet ﷺ was leading his noble companions in prayer when a Bedouin (villager) said during the prayer: "O Allah, have mercy on me and Muhammad ﷺ, and do not have mercy on anyone else besides us." When the Prophet ﷺ finished the prayer, he said to the Bedouin, "You have restricted something that is vast," and by "vast" he meant the mercy of Allah. [حواله ايضاً]