Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 48
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 { اِلٰى مَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ …:} means anything in the world that Allah has created, such as mountains, trees, and humans, etc., whose shadow increases, decreases, and shifts, each one is, by nature (without its own will), engaged in obedience to Allah Almighty, and cannot deviate even a hair’s breadth from the law of nature. Here, by giving precedence to those with intellect over all things, it is said {’’ دٰخِرُوْنَ ‘‘}. (Ruh al-Ma‘ani) Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) describing the manner of this prostration writes: “Everything stands upright at noon, its shadow also stands; when the day declines, the shadow bends, then keeps bending until by evening it lies on the ground, just as in prayer from standing to bowing and from bowing to prostration, in the same way every thing performs prayer with its shadow.” (Muwadhih) {’’ الْيَمِيْنِ ‘‘} is used in the singular for brevity and {’’ الشَّمَآىِٕلِ ‘‘} in the plural for detail. The first refers to the genus, which includes all individuals, the second refers to all the sides on the left.
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.
[46۔1] For example, if you stand facing south in the early part of the day, your shadow will be on your right side, and if you face north, it will be on your left side. Then, when the sun is overhead, your shadow will be at your feet, and in winter, it will be directly towards the north. In the latter part of the day, the direction will be completely opposite. In this verse, Allah has used the singular form (yameen) for the right side and the plural form (shama'il, singular shimal) for the left side. This too is an idiom of the Arabs and a type of their eloquence. When the Arabs want to bring two plural forms together, they make one singular. Another example of this in the Quran is: ﴿خَتَمَ اللّٰهُ عَليٰ قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَعَليٰ سَمْعهِمْ﴾
[47]
How Does Everything in the Universe Prostrate?
Whatever Allah has created, He has bound it to certain natural laws. Abiding by these laws itself indicates that the creation is prostrating before its Creator, being utterly compelled and expressing extreme humility. For example, a law has been made for light that if it passes through a single type of matter, it always travels in a straight line. According to this law, the shadow of everything is formed, decreases and increases, and another aspect of this is that only material and solid things have shadows, and all these things are Allah’s creation. They are all bound by Allah’s all-encompassing law, and since they are created, they will also be destroyed at some point. Therefore, there is not even a hint of divinity in them; rather, all are bound by Allah’s command and are His humble creation.
