Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And among them are some who listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear - even though they apprehend not?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمِنْهُمwamin'humAnd among them
مَّنman(are some) who
يَسْتَمِعُونَyastamiʿūnalisten
إِلَيْكَ ۚilaykato you
أَفَأَنتَafa-antaBut (can) you
تُسْمِعُtus'miʿucause the deaf to hear
ٱلصُّمَّl-ṣumacause the deaf to hear
وَلَوْwalaweven though
كَانُوا۟kānūthey [were]
لَاlā(do) not
يَعْقِلُونَyaʿqilūnause reason
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 43,42) {وَمِنْهُمْمَّنْيَّسْتَمِعُوْنَاِلَيْكَ …:} According to one interpretation of the previous verse (40), there are two types of disbelievers: one, those who believe in the truth of the Quran but deny it out of stubbornness and hostility; and the other, those who are blind in intellect and do not even believe in the truth of the Quran. According to another interpretation, some of the disbelievers will accept faith in the future, and some are not destined for this blessing. In this verse, the mention is of the second type of disbelievers who are not destined for faith and who will persist in disbelief under all circumstances. It is said that some among them listen to your words and the recitation of the Quran, but they cannot benefit, because their ears are deaf to the truth; and even if the deaf possess intellect, they can understand, but those who are both deaf and devoid of intellect—how can you convey your message to them? {’’الصُّمَّ ‘‘} is the plural of {’’ اَصَمُّ ‘‘}, meaning deaf. Similarly, some people look towards you; if someone is fortunate like Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him), he recognizes just by looking at the face that this cannot be the face of a liar. [ ترمذی : ۲۴۸۵۔ ابن ماجہ : ۱۳۳۴ ] But one who deliberately becomes blind and is also blind of heart—can you guide him to the right path? Never. In {’’ اَفَاَنْتَتُسْمِعُالصُّمَّوَلَوْكَانُوْالَايَعْقِلُوْنَ ‘‘}, {’’ الْعُمْيَ ‘‘ ’’ اَعْمٰي‘‘} is the plural, meaning blindness of the eyes, and in {’’ لَايُبْصِرُوْنَ ‘‘}, the meaning is not eyesight but the lack of insight, so that repetition does not occur. Such people are called not only blind and deaf but also dead; it is said: «{ اِنَّكَلَاتُسْمِعُالْمَوْتٰى }»[ النمل : ۸۰ ] "Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear." The purpose is to console the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he should not be distressed or disheartened by the disbelief of such people.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
42. 1. That is, outwardly they listen to the Quran, but the purpose of listening is not to seek guidance, therefore, it does not benefit them in any way, just as a deaf person does not benefit from anything. Especially when the deaf person is also unintelligent, because an intelligent deaf person can still understand something through gestures. But their example is like that of an unintelligent deaf person, who remains completely deprived.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
