سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْفَالِ
Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 33
وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴿33﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And Allâh would not punish them while you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allâh’s) Forgiveness.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَا
wamā
But not
كَانَ
kāna
is
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
(for) Allah
لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ
liyuʿadhibahum
that He punishes them
وَأَنتَ
wa-anta
while you
فِيهِمْ ۚ
fīhim
(are) among them
وَمَا
wamā
and not
كَانَ
kāna
is
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
مُعَذِّبَهُمْ
muʿadhibahum
the One Who punishes them
وَهُمْ
wahum
while they
يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
yastaghfirūna
seek forgiveness
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.
33. But Allah would not punish them while you are among them, nor would Allah punish them while they seek forgiveness. [34]
[34]
Ways of Protection from Punishment:
This verse was revealed in response to the statement of Abu Jahl, as is clear from the following hadiths.
1. Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik ؓ says that Abu Jahl had said: O Allah! If this Quran is truly Your word (revealed), then rain down stones upon us from the sky or bring upon us some punishment. In response, the following verses from ﴿وَمَا كَان اللّٰهُ﴾ to ﴿عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ﴾ were revealed. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]
2. Abu Musa says that the Prophet ﷺ said: Allah Almighty has sent down two things of protection for my Ummah. Then he recited this verse. Then he said: When I depart (from this world), I will leave for you the means of protection—seeking forgiveness—until the Day of Resurrection. [ترمذي۔ ابواب التفسير]
That is, one reason why the punishment of stones is not immediately sent down upon you is that the Messenger of Allah is still present among you. In his presence, punishment cannot befall you. And the second reason is that the Messenger of Allah and the group of believers are constantly seeking forgiveness from Allah, and My law is that as long as there are people in a nation who seek forgiveness, I do not send punishment upon them.
[34]
Ways of Protection from Punishment:
This verse was revealed in response to the statement of Abu Jahl, as is clear from the following hadiths.
1. Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik ؓ says that Abu Jahl had said: O Allah! If this Quran is truly Your word (revealed), then rain down stones upon us from the sky or bring upon us some punishment. In response, the following verses from ﴿وَمَا كَان اللّٰهُ﴾ to ﴿عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ﴾ were revealed. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]
2. Abu Musa says that the Prophet ﷺ said: Allah Almighty has sent down two things of protection for my Ummah. Then he recited this verse. Then he said: When I depart (from this world), I will leave for you the means of protection—seeking forgiveness—until the Day of Resurrection. [ترمذي۔ ابواب التفسير]
That is, one reason why the punishment of stones is not immediately sent down upon you is that the Messenger of Allah is still present among you. In his presence, punishment cannot befall you. And the second reason is that the Messenger of Allah and the group of believers are constantly seeking forgiveness from Allah, and My law is that as long as there are people in a nation who seek forgiveness, I do not send punishment upon them.
