سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ

Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 47

The Night Journey · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 286

نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُورًا ﴿47﴾
We know best of what they listen to, when they listen to you. And when they take secret counsel, then the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) say: "You follow none but a bewitched man."
نَّحْنُ naḥnu We
أَعْلَمُ aʿlamu know best
بِمَا bimā [of] what
يَسْتَمِعُونَ yastamiʿūna they listen
بِهِۦٓ bihi to [it]
إِذْ idh when
يَسْتَمِعُونَ yastamiʿūna they listen
إِلَيْكَ ilayka to you
وَإِذْ wa-idh and when
هُمْ hum they
نَجْوَىٰٓ najwā (are) in private conversation
إِذْ idh when
يَقُولُ yaqūlu say
ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ l-ẓālimūna the wrongdoers
إِن in Not
تَتَّبِعُونَ tattabiʿūna you follow
إِلَّا illā but
رَجُلًۭا rajulan a man
مَّسْحُورًا masḥūran bewitched

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 47){ نَحْنُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُوْنَ بِهٖۤ … :} Allah Almighty is mentioning His perfect knowledge that We know very well with what intention they listen to you individually and attentively, so that they may object to you or mock you. Then, when they discuss and whisper about you in their gatherings, they declare you to be bewitched. Allah Almighty has mentioned His knowledge so that it is clear We are not unaware of their actions, nor will they escape Our grasp.

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.

47. 1. That is, they consider the Prophet ﷺ to be affected by magic and, thinking this, they listen to the Qur'an and whisper among themselves, and thus remain deprived of guidance.

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.

47. We know well why they listen to you [57] and what they say in private, when the wrongdoers say: "You are only following a man who is bewitched [58]."

[57]
The Reason Disbelievers Listen Attentively to the Quran:

That is, if they listen to your words attentively, it is not so that they may receive guidance, but rather they listen in hopes of finding some point or argument by which they can either deny this Prophet or mock him. And it is obvious that if one is searching for such things, one must listen attentively.
[58] The Quraysh of Makkah had imposed a restriction that none of their people would listen to the Quran, but there was such sweetness and appeal in this speech that even they could not abide by their own restriction, and would secretly listen to the Quran in the darkness of night. Then, when one of them suspected another of having listened to the Quran, they would say among themselves: "Which person are you talking about? The one who is himself bewitched and says strange things."