سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 17

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 269

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أَفَمَن يَخْلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخْلُقُ ۗ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿17﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

أَفَمَن afaman Then is He Who
يَخْلُقُ yakhluqu creates
كَمَن kaman like one who
لَّا lā (does) not
يَخْلُقُ ۗ yakhluqu create
أَفَلَا afalā Then will you not
تَذَكَّرُونَ tadhakkarūna remember

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.

(Ayah17){اَفَمَنْ يَّخْلُقُ كَمَنْ لَّا يَخْلُقُ … :} All these blessings that have been mentioned, everyone knows and acknowledges that they are created by Allah alone, and those whom the polytheists call upon have neither created anything nor can they ever do so, nor can they even claim to do so (see Surah Al-Hajj: 73). So tell me, you have equated the Creator of everything with those powerless beings who cannot even create a fly’s wing—do you not understand this? Truly: «{ وَ مَا قَدَرُوا اللّٰهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهٖۤ }» [ الأنعام : ۹۱ ] “They did not appreciate Allah with the appreciation due to Him.” This subject is explained in detail in Surah Ar-Ra’d (16). Allama Zamakhshari has raised the question here that the word {’’مَنْ‘‘ } is used for those with intellect, so why is it used here for idols? Then he answered that since the polytheists considered them as fulfillers of needs and removers of difficulties, therefore, according to their belief, {’’ كَمَنْ لَّا يَخْلُقُ ‘‘} was said. However, the simple and correct answer is that they did not merely worship stones, but rather called upon those beings whose idols they made. For example, they had placed statues of Maryam, Ibrahim, and Ismail (peace be upon them) inside the Ka’bah, and had placed divining arrows in their hands. [ دیکھیے بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب قول اللہ تعالٰی : «و اتخذ اللہ إبراہیم خلیلا » : ۳۳۵۱، ۳۳۵۲ ] The idols of the people of Nuh were also statues of the friends of Allah. See the commentary of Surah Nuh (23). All these were people of intellect, in fact, they were teachers of those with intellect, so the question raised by Zamakhshari does not arise at all.

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.

17. 1. From all these blessings, the importance of Tawheed is highlighted: Allah is the Creator of these things, but those whom you worship besides Him—have they created anything? No, rather they themselves are created by Allah. Then how can the Creator and the created be equal? Yet you have made them deities and set them as equals to Allah. Do you not reflect?

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.

17. (Now think) Can the One who creates be like the one who cannot create anything? [18] Will you not then take heed?

[18] The signs and powers of Allah mentioned above are all natural phenomena. Every person can observe them with their own eyes, and they are presented in such a straightforward manner that no special knowledge is required to understand them. Every city dweller and villager, every literate and illiterate person can look at them and reflect upon them, and it is such things that Allah has presented as evidence of His Oneness. He has asked: all of this has been created by Allah, so tell Me, what have your partners created? And if they have created nothing at all, then how can they be considered partners of Allah?
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