سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 89
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿89﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Except for those who repent after that and do righteous deeds. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِلَّا
illā
Except
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
تَابُوا۟
tābū
repent
مِنۢ
min
from
بَعْدِ
baʿdi
after
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
that
وَأَصْلَحُوا۟
wa-aṣlaḥū
and reform[ed] themselves
فَإِنَّ
fa-inna
Then indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
غَفُورٌۭ
ghafūrun
(is) Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌ
raḥīmun
Most Merciful
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.
(Ayah89) ➊ {اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا …:} From this it is understood that if a polytheist sincerely repents and re-enters Islam, Allah Almighty forgives his previous mistake. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "A man from among the Ansar became an apostate after accepting Islam and joined the polytheists, then he became remorseful and sent word through his tribe to ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) whether his repentance could be accepted. So this verse was revealed. (His brother) sent him this verse and he became Muslim again." [نسائی، تحریم الدم، باب توبۃ المرتد … :۴۰۷۳ وقال الالبانی صحیح ] The name of this person was Harith bin Suwayd. (Tabari)
➋ No one will be forced to become Muslim; it is said: «لَاۤ اِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّيْنِ » [البقرة : ۲۵۶] "There is no compulsion in religion." But if a person becomes an apostate after being Muslim and does not repent from apostasy, then his punishment is death. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَنْ بَدَّلَ دِيْنَهُ فَاقْتُلُوْهُ ] "Whoever changes his religion (i.e., Islam), kill him." [بخاری، استتابۃ المرتدین و المعاندین وقتالہم، باب إثم من أشرک … : ۶۹۱۸ ]
➋ No one will be forced to become Muslim; it is said: «لَاۤ اِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّيْنِ » [البقرة : ۲۵۶] "There is no compulsion in religion." But if a person becomes an apostate after being Muslim and does not repent from apostasy, then his punishment is death. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَنْ بَدَّلَ دِيْنَهُ فَاقْتُلُوْهُ ] "Whoever changes his religion (i.e., Islam), kill him." [بخاری، استتابۃ المرتدین و المعاندین وقتالہم، باب إثم من أشرک … : ۶۹۱۸ ]
