Surah Ar-Ra'd (13) — Ayah 14
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ The pronoun in {وَ الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ …: ’’ يَدْعُوْنَ ‘‘} refers to the polytheists, meaning that the example of one who calls upon anyone besides Allah is like the person who stretches out both hands towards water so that it may reach his mouth, but the water neither hears his words, nor understands, nor has the power to reach his mouth by itself. Allah Almighty has, in several places, elaborated in detail the helplessness and powerlessness of these self-made gods. See Surah Al-A’raf (191–198), Saba (22), Fatir (13, 14), Ahqaf (5), and Hajj (73). Readers are requested to look up and read the translation of these passages; God willing, you will feel the coolness of monotheism in your heart.
➌ { وَ مَا دُعَآءُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اِلَّا فِيْ ضَلٰلٍ:} That is, the calling of others besides Allah by the disbelievers is utterly fruitless, from which nothing is gained. Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: “Those whom the disbelievers call upon, some are mere imagination, some are jinn, and some are such things that have certain properties, but they are not masters of those properties, so what is gained by calling upon them? Like fire or water, and perhaps stars are also of this kind; this is the example given.” (Muwadhih) Understand its brief explanation: Angels are always with us, they hear, they have power, but they can do nothing without Allah’s permission, nor do they do anything. So calling upon them is just like signaling or telling water with your tongue to come into your mouth, even though it does not have that power, and even if it did, it does not have that choice.
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.
14. 2. That is, those who, leaving Allah, call upon others for help—their example is like a person who, from a distance, stretches out both his palms towards water and says to the water, "Come to my mouth." Obviously, water is an inanimate thing; it does not even know what the need of the one stretching out his palms is, nor does it know that he is demanding it to reach his mouth, nor does it have the power to move from its place to reach his hands or mouth. In the same way, those polytheists who call upon others besides Allah, those whom they call upon do not know that anyone is calling them or what his need is, nor do they have the power to fulfill that need.
14. 3. And it is useless as well, because it will not benefit them in any way.
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.
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The Example of Calling Upon ﴿من دون الله﴾:
Because He hears the call and also has the power to accept the supplicant’s plea. As for the polytheists who call upon other deities, their example is like a thirsty person who, upon seeing water, stretches out his hands and calls to it, “Come, quench my thirst.” Obviously, water can neither hear anyone’s call nor has the power to come to the thirsty person. Therefore, such a call from the thirsty one is a futile and useless act. In the same way, even if the false deities are called a thousand times, they cannot hear anything, and even if, hypothetically, they could hear, they are so powerless and helpless that they do not have the ability to accept the supplication. Now, they themselves should consider whether calling upon them can bring any benefit.
