سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 21
يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ ٱلْمُقَدَّسَةَ ٱلَّتِى كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) which Allâh has assigned to you and turn not back (in flight); for then you will be returned as losers."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَـٰقَوْمِ
yāqawmi
O my people
ٱدْخُلُوا۟
ud'khulū
Enter
ٱلْأَرْضَ
l-arḍa
the land
ٱلْمُقَدَّسَةَ
l-muqadasata
the Holy
ٱلَّتِى
allatī
which
كَتَبَ
kataba
(has been) ordained
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
(by) Allah
لَكُمْ
lakum
for you
وَلَا
walā
and (do) not
تَرْتَدُّوا۟
tartaddū
turn
عَلَىٰٓ
ʿalā
on
أَدْبَارِكُمْ
adbārikum
your backs
فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟
fatanqalibū
then you will turn back
خَـٰسِرِينَ
khāsirīna
(as) losers
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.
21. "O my people! Enter the holy [52] land which Allah has destined for you, and do not turn back, or you will return as losers."
[52]
The Delegation Sent to Inquire About the Condition of Palestine:
When Pharaoh was drowned in the Red Sea and the Children of Israel crossed over, this migration was directed towards their ancestral homeland, Palestine, which had been the center of preaching for Sayyiduna Ibrahim, Sayyiduna Ishaq, and Sayyiduna Yaqub (peace be upon them) and others. Allah Almighty informed Musa (peace be upon him) through revelation that he should take these emigrants with him and launch an attack on Palestine, and Allah Almighty would grant victory to the Children of Israel, thus returning their ancestral homeland to them. Accordingly, Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) encouraged them towards jihad and also gave them glad tidings of victory and help from Allah Almighty. However, these people thought that first they should become fully aware of the current conditions in Palestine, only then could they consider any matter of war. Thus, they themselves camped in the wilderness of Paran and sent twelve men from among themselves to assess the political situation of Palestine. When Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) sent these people, he emphasized that whatever the circumstances, they should come and inform only him, and not publicize it before everyone.
[52]
The Delegation Sent to Inquire About the Condition of Palestine:
When Pharaoh was drowned in the Red Sea and the Children of Israel crossed over, this migration was directed towards their ancestral homeland, Palestine, which had been the center of preaching for Sayyiduna Ibrahim, Sayyiduna Ishaq, and Sayyiduna Yaqub (peace be upon them) and others. Allah Almighty informed Musa (peace be upon him) through revelation that he should take these emigrants with him and launch an attack on Palestine, and Allah Almighty would grant victory to the Children of Israel, thus returning their ancestral homeland to them. Accordingly, Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) encouraged them towards jihad and also gave them glad tidings of victory and help from Allah Almighty. However, these people thought that first they should become fully aware of the current conditions in Palestine, only then could they consider any matter of war. Thus, they themselves camped in the wilderness of Paran and sent twelve men from among themselves to assess the political situation of Palestine. When Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) sent these people, he emphasized that whatever the circumstances, they should come and inform only him, and not publicize it before everyone.
