سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْزَابِ
Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 16
قُل لَّن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْفِرَارُ إِن فَرَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ أَوِ ٱلْقَتْلِ وَإِذًا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿16﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to these hypocrites who ask your permission to run away from you): "Flight will not avail you if you flee from death or killing and then you will enjoy no more than a little while!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قُل
qul
Say
لَّن
lan
Never
يَنفَعَكُمُ
yanfaʿakumu
will benefit you
ٱلْفِرَارُ
l-firāru
the fleeing
إِن
in
if
فَرَرْتُم
farartum
you flee
مِّنَ
mina
from
ٱلْمَوْتِ
l-mawti
death
أَوِ
awi
or
ٱلْقَتْلِ
l-qatli
killing
وَإِذًۭا
wa-idhan
and then
لَّا
lā
not
تُمَتَّعُونَ
tumattaʿūna
you will be allowed to enjoy
إِلَّا
illā
except
قَلِيلًۭا
qalīlan
a little
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.
Say, "Running away will not benefit you if you are fleeing from death or killing; even then, you will enjoy only a little (while)."
[21]
An Honorable Death is Far Better Than a Humiliating Life:
There are a few unchangeable facts about death. One is that death does not come before its appointed time. Is it necessary that all those who participate in battle and fight with utmost sincerity are martyred? The second fact is that death will certainly come; no one can escape it. If you choose the path of fleeing from battle, at most you may live a few more years. In the end, you must die and return to Us. It is, in any case, impossible to escape the grip of death. But cursed is the life that passes in disgrace and humiliation, for dying with honor is always better than living with disgrace.
[21]
An Honorable Death is Far Better Than a Humiliating Life:
There are a few unchangeable facts about death. One is that death does not come before its appointed time. Is it necessary that all those who participate in battle and fight with utmost sincerity are martyred? The second fact is that death will certainly come; no one can escape it. If you choose the path of fleeing from battle, at most you may live a few more years. In the end, you must die and return to Us. It is, in any case, impossible to escape the grip of death. But cursed is the life that passes in disgrace and humiliation, for dying with honor is always better than living with disgrace.
