Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 101
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 { بَلْ اَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ :} That is, most of them call you, O Prophet (peace be upon him), a fabricator because of abrogation, since they do not have knowledge of the previous Shari‘ahs. If they had, they would have understood that it has always been Allah’s way that He sends down a command, and then whenever He wills, He abrogates it and sends down another command. {’’ اَكْثَرُهُمْ ‘‘} Therefore, it is said that some people, despite knowing everything, call you a fabricator out of stubbornness and enmity.
➌ This verse has two meanings: one is the one mentioned above, where {’’ اٰيَةٍ ‘‘} refers to a legal verse and command; the second meaning is a sign and miracle. At this point, {’’ اٰيَةٍ ‘‘} would mean a cosmic sign, for example, Abraham (peace be upon him) not being burned in the fire, the staff of Moses, the shining hand, reviving the dead by Allah’s command, etc. In the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him), Allah also changed the system of cosmic signs and revealed the Qur’an itself as a miracle, and challenged them to produce even a single surah like it, which no one has been able to answer to this day, nor will anyone be able to. Instead of the miracles of the previous prophets, this sign, i.e., miracle, was revealed which will remain after you until the Day of Judgment. When they had no answer, they called you a fabricator; He (Allah) stated that the Prophet is not a fabricator, rather these poor people are ignorant.
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.
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.
[104]
When is the Day of Judgment? Different Answers to One Question:
This may refer to the different answers given on various occasions to the disbelievers’ question or objection. For example, the disbelievers would often ask: “When will this Day of Judgment that you keep talking about actually come?” At one place, the answer given is that it will come suddenly in such a way that you will not even be aware of it. At another place, the answer is that when it comes, your believing at that time will be of no benefit. At a third place, the answer is that when it comes, there will not be any delay or advancement in it, not even for a moment. And at a fourth place, the answer is given: say to them that its knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only His Messenger.
The Nature of Abrogating and Abrogated Rulings:
And it may also mean that in the Quran, the accounts of previous nations and prophets are sometimes mentioned briefly, sometimes in detail, sometimes with one aspect in view, and sometimes with another aspect. The same is the case with rulings, in which gradualness has been taken into consideration, and this gradualness is due to people’s intellect and understanding, or their lack of readiness at one time and readiness at another. And since Allah Almighty is aware of all kinds of circumstances, the demand of His wisdom is that He reveals rulings according to the requirements of the circumstances. And its example is like that of a wise doctor who first prescribes one medicine for a patient, then changes the medicine according to the patient’s condition.
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The Accusation of Fabricating the Quran Due to Change in Rulings:
In such cases of change, the disbelievers begin to say that this cannot be the word of Allah. Allah is already aware of everything. Why then are there changes in His rulings or different answers to one question? It must be that this Prophet has fabricated this speech himself—sometimes giving one answer, sometimes another. In response to this, Allah said that this response of the disbelievers is based merely on ignorance. The reason for the change in rulings is not, God forbid, that Allah did not know beforehand, but the real reason is people’s readiness or lack thereof, and the requirements of the circumstances.
