سُوْرَةُ هُوْدٍ

Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 53

Hud · Meccan · Juz 12 · Page 227

قَالُوا۟ يَـٰهُودُ مَا جِئْتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٍ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَارِكِىٓ ءَالِهَتِنَا عَن قَوْلِكَ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿53﴾
They said: "O Hûd! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your (mere) saying! And we are not believers in you.
قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
يَـٰهُودُ yāhūdu O Hud
مَا You have not brought us
جِئْتَنَا ji'tanā You have not brought us
بِبَيِّنَةٍۢ bibayyinatin clear proofs
وَمَا wamā and not
نَحْنُ naḥnu we
بِتَارِكِىٓ bitārikī (will) leave
ءَالِهَتِنَا ālihatinā our gods
عَن ʿan on
قَوْلِكَ qawlika your saying
وَمَا wamā and not
نَحْنُ naḥnu we (are)
لَكَ laka in you
بِمُؤْمِنِينَ bimu'minīna believers

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 53) ➊ {قَالُوْا يٰهُوْدُ مَا جِئْتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٍ …:} It is certain that every prophet comes from Allah with such clear proofs and definite signs that those who hear and see are left with no doubt about his prophethood, but all this benefits only those who listen and see with the ears and eyes of the heart. However, when a person or a nation, out of stubbornness and hostility, decides that they will not believe, then despite having countless proofs before them, they do not see even a single one, and their condition becomes as Allah Almighty has described in Surah Al-Baqarah (6, 7).
➋ Here, in four sentences, the people of Hud (peace be upon him) denied him in the harshest words and clearly refused to believe in him. In the first sentence, they accused him of not presenting even a single proof of prophethood. In the second and third sentences, by emphasizing the negative with the letter "ba" in {’’ مَا ‘‘}, they refused to abandon their deities and believe in Hud (peace be upon him) under any circumstances.

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.

53. 1. A prophet possesses the full strength of proofs and evidences with him, but the short-sighted cannot see them. The people of Hud (علیہ السلام) also displayed the same stubbornness, saying: How can we abandon our deities merely at your word, without any proof?

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.

53. They said, "Hud! You have not brought us any clear sign [60], and we are not going to abandon our gods merely because of your words, nor will we believe in you."

[60] Generally, every prophet is given such clear proofs that are sufficient for the reassurance and satisfaction of those who believe, but stubborn people usually demand such a tangible miracle that would seize them by the neck and force them to believe, and they are not ready to believe until they see such a miracle. However, at that time, believing brings no benefit, and presenting such a miracle is, in any case, against the Divine Will.