سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 188
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَوا۟ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا۟ فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿188﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done (or brought about), and love to be praised for what they have not done, - think not you that they are rescued from the torment, and for them is a painful torment.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَا
lā
(Do) not
تَحْسَبَنَّ
taḥsabanna
think
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
(that) those who
يَفْرَحُونَ
yafraḥūna
rejoice
بِمَآ
bimā
in what
أَتَوا۟
ataw
(they have) brought
وَّيُحِبُّونَ
wayuḥibbūna
and they love
أَن
an
that
يُحْمَدُوا۟
yuḥ'madū
they be praised
بِمَا
bimā
for what
لَمْ
lam
not
يَفْعَلُوا۟
yafʿalū
they do
فَلَا
falā
so (do) not
تَحْسَبَنَّهُم
taḥsabannahum
think (that) they
بِمَفَازَةٍۢ
bimafāzatin
(will) escape
مِّنَ
mina
from
ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ
l-ʿadhābi
the punishment
وَلَهُمْ
walahum
and for them
عَذَابٌ
ʿadhābun
(is a) punishment
أَلِيمٌۭ
alīmun
painful
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.
That is, they boast about the deeds they have done, and regarding the deeds they have not done, they also wish that these be counted among their achievements. Never think about such people that they will escape Allah’s grasp and His punishment. This verse was actually revealed concerning the Jews and the hypocrites. Thus, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked the Jews about something, and they gave a wrong answer, then were pleased that they had satisfied the Prophet (peace be upon him), and now he should praise them. [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب : «لا تحسبن الذین یفرحون بما أتوا» : ۴۵۶۸ ]
Abu Sa‘id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) set out for battle, some hypocrites would not go with him and would be very pleased to remain sitting (in their homes) after his departure. Then, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned, they would present excuses and swear oaths, and would wish to be praised for the deed they had not done. Thus, regarding this, the following verse was revealed: «لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَفْرَحُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اَتَوْا وَّ يُحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ يُّحْمَدُوْا بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوْا» [بخاری، التفسیر، باب : «ولا تحسبن الذين يفرحون بما أتوا» : ۴۵۶۷ ] However, this ruling is general for the People of the Book and for Muslims; whoever is fond of flattery and has such a mindset that he wishes to be praised for achievements he has not accomplished, for him is the warning mentioned in this verse. (Shawkani)
Abu Sa‘id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) set out for battle, some hypocrites would not go with him and would be very pleased to remain sitting (in their homes) after his departure. Then, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned, they would present excuses and swear oaths, and would wish to be praised for the deed they had not done. Thus, regarding this, the following verse was revealed: «لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَفْرَحُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اَتَوْا وَّ يُحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ يُّحْمَدُوْا بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوْا» [بخاری، التفسیر، باب : «ولا تحسبن الذين يفرحون بما أتوا» : ۴۵۶۷ ] However, this ruling is general for the People of the Book and for Muslims; whoever is fond of flattery and has such a mindset that he wishes to be praised for achievements he has not accomplished, for him is the warning mentioned in this verse. (Shawkani)
