سُوْرَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ
Surah Muhammad (47) — Ayah 1
ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَضَلَّ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ﴿1﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allâh, and in the Message of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh (Islâmic Monotheism), He will render their deeds vain.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
Those who
كَفَرُوا۟
kafarū
disbelieve
وَصَدُّوا۟
waṣaddū
and turn away
عَن
ʿan
from
سَبِيلِ
sabīli
(the) way of Allah
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(the) way of Allah
أَضَلَّ
aḍalla
He will cause to be lost
أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
aʿmālahum
their deeds
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.
Those who disbelieve and hinder (others) from the way of Allah [1,2], He will render their deeds void.
[1]
The Background of the Revelation of Surah Muhammad ﷺ:
Surah Muhammad is among the early surahs that were revealed after the migration to Madinah. In Makkah, the only enemies of Islam and the Prophet of Islam were the Quraysh. But after going to Madinah, when a small state of Muslims was also established, the number of enemies of the Muslims increased. The Quraysh of Makkah also did not abandon their enmity. Although the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made a defensive pact with the Jews as soon as he arrived in Madinah, the Jews are a nation that breaks covenants. Their collusion remained with the Quraysh of Makkah, and the Quraysh of Makkah, despite this defensive pact, also considered them their own allies. The hypocrites also became a snake in the sleeve for the Muslims, and secretly all their sympathies were with the Jews, and in this respect, they were even more dangerous because they kept the Jews and other enemies informed of the secrets and strategies of the Muslims. In addition, the polytheist Arab tribes around were also not ready to tolerate the existence of this small new Muslim state.
The Severe Problems That Arose After Reaching Madinah and Only Two Paths:
After reaching Madinah, Muslims gained the benefit that now they could recite the Quran freely, perform the pillars of Islam, and preach openly. But here, they were surrounded on all sides by internal and external enemies. The issue of settling the emigrants and economic difficulties was separate. In these circumstances, there were only two paths for the Muslims: one, to be overwhelmed by these difficulties and surrender to disbelief; and the other, to risk everything and stand firm against disbelief and trust in Allah. In this background, this surah was revealed, the Muslims were given reassurance, and they were encouraged to fight in the way of Allah while placing their trust in Him.
[2]
The Literal Meaning of ﴿صدّ﴾:
The word ﴿صَدَّ﴾ is used both intransitively and transitively. Its meaning is to turn away and to refrain oneself, as well as to prevent others. And its meaning here is that those who disbelieved, then continued to prevent others from accepting Islam in support of disbelief, continued to inflict harm and pain upon the Muslims, devised secret plans and conspiracies to stop the spread of Islam, and participated in hostile activities. Their activities here will prove fruitless and ineffective, and they will fail in these efforts. Allah will destroy their efforts and never let them bear fruit.
[1]
The Background of the Revelation of Surah Muhammad ﷺ:
Surah Muhammad is among the early surahs that were revealed after the migration to Madinah. In Makkah, the only enemies of Islam and the Prophet of Islam were the Quraysh. But after going to Madinah, when a small state of Muslims was also established, the number of enemies of the Muslims increased. The Quraysh of Makkah also did not abandon their enmity. Although the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made a defensive pact with the Jews as soon as he arrived in Madinah, the Jews are a nation that breaks covenants. Their collusion remained with the Quraysh of Makkah, and the Quraysh of Makkah, despite this defensive pact, also considered them their own allies. The hypocrites also became a snake in the sleeve for the Muslims, and secretly all their sympathies were with the Jews, and in this respect, they were even more dangerous because they kept the Jews and other enemies informed of the secrets and strategies of the Muslims. In addition, the polytheist Arab tribes around were also not ready to tolerate the existence of this small new Muslim state.
The Severe Problems That Arose After Reaching Madinah and Only Two Paths:
After reaching Madinah, Muslims gained the benefit that now they could recite the Quran freely, perform the pillars of Islam, and preach openly. But here, they were surrounded on all sides by internal and external enemies. The issue of settling the emigrants and economic difficulties was separate. In these circumstances, there were only two paths for the Muslims: one, to be overwhelmed by these difficulties and surrender to disbelief; and the other, to risk everything and stand firm against disbelief and trust in Allah. In this background, this surah was revealed, the Muslims were given reassurance, and they were encouraged to fight in the way of Allah while placing their trust in Him.
[2]
The Literal Meaning of ﴿صدّ﴾:
The word ﴿صَدَّ﴾ is used both intransitively and transitively. Its meaning is to turn away and to refrain oneself, as well as to prevent others. And its meaning here is that those who disbelieved, then continued to prevent others from accepting Islam in support of disbelief, continued to inflict harm and pain upon the Muslims, devised secret plans and conspiracies to stop the spread of Islam, and participated in hostile activities. Their activities here will prove fruitless and ineffective, and they will fail in these efforts. Allah will destroy their efforts and never let them bear fruit.
