Quran-16:63 Surah An-nahl English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٖ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ

Transliteration:( Tallaahi laqad arsalnaaa ilaaa umamim min qablika fazayyana lahumush Shaitaanu a'maalahum fahuwa waliyyuhumul yawma wa lahum 'azaabun aleem )

63. By Allah [130], indeed, We sent messengers to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds seem pleasing to them [131]; so today, he is their companion, and for them is a painful punishment [132]. (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(63) By Allāh, We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is their [i.e., the disbelievers] ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment. (Saheen International Translation)

Surah An-Nahl Ayat 63 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

📖 Commentary of Surah An-Nahl – Verse 63

"By Allah [130], indeed, We sent messengers to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds seem pleasing to them [131]; so today, he is their companion, and for them is a painful punishment [132]."

✅ [130] Misguided Deeds and the Illusion of Righteousness

Here, “deeds” refers to infidelity (kufr), polytheism (shirk), and sinful acts, because these are not only external behaviors but also internal beliefs and intentions.

From this we learn that:

  • Committing sins while thinking them to be good deeds is infidelity,

  • While committing sins knowing they are wrong is disobedience, which, although sinful, is less severe than the first condition.

Anyone who attempts to portray evil as good is functioning as a devil, and likewise, one who declares good to be evil also assumes the role of Iblees.

✅ [131] Satan as the Deceptive Companion

The “companionship” of Satan mentioned here refers to the false friendships and alliances of the world. These are deceptive and fleeting.

In contrast, verses that state "the oppressors will have no friends" refer to the true, enduring friendship in the Hereafter, where no such bond will save a person from punishment.

Hence, there is no contradiction in the message—Satan’s companionship is illusory and temporary, while real support in the Hereafter belongs only to the righteous.

✅ [132] The End Result: Painful Punishment

As a consequence of following Satan’s deception and beautifying falsehood, they are destined for a painful punishment. Their rejection of truth and companionship with evil seal their fate.

Ibn-Kathir

63. By Allah, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you, but Shaytan made their deeds seeming fair to them. So today he is their helper, and theirs will be a painful torment. 64. And We have not revealed the Book to you, except that you may clearly explain to them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe. 65. And Allah sends water down from the sky, then He revives the earth with it after its death. Surely that is a sign for people who listen.


Finding Consolation in the Reminder of Those Who came before

Allah says, `He sent Messengers to the nations of the past, and they were rejected. You, O Muhammad, have an example in your brothers among the Messengers, so do not be distressed by your people’s rejection. As for the idolators’ rejection of the Messengers, the reason for this is that the Shaytan made their deeds attractive to them.’

﴿فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ الْيَوْمَ﴾

(So today he (Shaytan) is their helper,) meaning they will be suffering punishment while Shaytan is their only helper, and he cannot save them, so they have no one to answer their calls for help, and theirs is a painful punishment.

The Reason why the Qur’an was revealed

Then Allah says to His Messenger that He has revealed the Book to him to explain the truth to mankind in matters which they dispute over. So the Qur’an is a decisive arbitrator for every issue that they argue about.

﴿وَهَدَى﴾

(and (as) a guidance) meaning, for their hearts.

﴿وَرَحْمَةً﴾

(and a mercy) meaning, for the one who adheres to it.

﴿لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

(for a people who believe.) Just as Allah causes the Qur’an to bring life to hearts that were dead from disbelief, so He brings the earth to life after it has died, by sending down water from the sky.

﴿إِنَّ فِى ذلِكَ لآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ﴾

(Surely that is a sign for people who listen.) meaning those who understand the words and their meanings.

(16:63) By Allah, (O Muhammad), We sent Messengers to other communities before you but Satan made their evil deeds attractive to them (so they paid no heed to the call of the Messengers). The same Satan is their patron today and they are heading towards a painful chastisement.

Ala-Maududi

(16:63) By Allah, (O Muhammad), We sent Messengers to other communities before you but Satan made their evil deeds attractive to them (so they paid no heed to the call of the Messengers). The same Satan is their patron today and they are heading towards a painful chastisement.


There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.

(63) By Allāh, We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is their [i.e., the disbelievers] ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment.

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