سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 34
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿34﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Except for those who (having fled away and then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power; in that case, know that Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِلَّا
illā
Except
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
تَابُوا۟
tābū
repent
مِن
min
from
قَبْلِ
qabli
before
أَن
an
that
تَقْدِرُوا۟
taqdirū
you overpower
عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ
ʿalayhim
[over] them
فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟
fa-iʿ'lamū
then know
أَنَّ
anna
that
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
غَفُورٌۭ
ghafūrun
(is) Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭ
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.
(Ayah 34) {اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا ……:} That is, such people's crimes will be forgiven and they will not be given the aforementioned punishments, because surrendering themselves before being caught means that they have repented from their crimes. However, there is a difference of opinion as to whether, along with the forgiveness of punishments, the crimes they committed against people—such as murder, looting of property, or violation of honor—will also be forgiven or whether retribution will be taken for them. According to some scholars, these will not be forgiven; retribution will be taken. The inclination of Ibn Kathir and Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on them) is that they will be forgiven absolutely; they have stated that this is what the apparent words of the verse require. However, after being caught, repentance will not forgive the crimes; they will be deserving of punishment. (Fath al-Qadeer, Ibn Kathir)
