سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 83
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ ﴿83﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Do they seek other than the religion of Allâh (the true Islâmic Monotheism - worshipping none but Allâh Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَفَغَيْرَ
afaghayra
So is (it) other than
دِينِ
dīni
(the) religion
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
يَبْغُونَ
yabghūna
they seek
وَلَهُۥٓ
walahu
While to Him
أَسْلَمَ
aslama
(have) submitted
مَن
man
whatever
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ
l-samāwāti
the heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِ
wal-arḍi
and the earth
طَوْعًۭا
ṭawʿan
willingly
وَكَرْهًۭا
wakarhan
or unwillingly
وَإِلَيْهِ
wa-ilayhi
and towards Him
يُرْجَعُونَ
yur'jaʿūna
they will be returned
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 83) ➊ {طَوْعًا وَّ كَرْهًا :} If someone says that many humans are not obedient to Allah, then the answer is that they too are powerless in being obedient; otherwise, let them try to stop their breath, heartbeat, hunger and thirst, or urination and defecation. Yes, regarding actions, humans have been given a certain degree of choice, and accountability will be related to that.
➋ { اَفَغَيْرَ دِيْنِ اللّٰهِ يَبْغُوْنَ :} That is, when everything in the heavens and the earth—angels, jinn, humans, etc.—are bowing before Allah’s law of nature and are subject to His command, willingly or unwillingly, then why do these people choose another path, leaving His law of Shariah {”دِيْنِ اللّٰهِ“}? They should, if they desire salvation in the Hereafter, adopt the religion of Allah which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has been sent with at this time. Also see Surah Aal-e-Imran (85).
➋ { اَفَغَيْرَ دِيْنِ اللّٰهِ يَبْغُوْنَ :} That is, when everything in the heavens and the earth—angels, jinn, humans, etc.—are bowing before Allah’s law of nature and are subject to His command, willingly or unwillingly, then why do these people choose another path, leaving His law of Shariah {”دِيْنِ اللّٰهِ“}? They should, if they desire salvation in the Hereafter, adopt the religion of Allah which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has been sent with at this time. Also see Surah Aal-e-Imran (85).
