سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ

Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 59

The Night Journey · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 288

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وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ ٱلنَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا ﴿59﴾

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

And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayât (proofs, evidence, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamûd as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

وَمَا wamā And not
مَنَعَنَآ manaʿanā stopped Us
أَن an that
نُّرْسِلَ nur'sila We send
بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ bil-āyāti the Signs
إِلَّآ illā except
أَن an that
كَذَّبَ kadhaba denied
بِهَا bihā them
ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ l-awalūna the former (people)
وَءَاتَيْنَا waātaynā And We gave
ثَمُودَ thamūda Thamud
ٱلنَّاقَةَ l-nāqata the she-camel
مُبْصِرَةًۭ mub'ṣiratan (as) a visible sign
فَظَلَمُوا۟ faẓalamū but they wronged
بِهَا ۚ bihā her
وَمَا wamā And not
نُرْسِلُ nur'silu We send
بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ bil-āyāti the Signs
إِلَّا illā except
تَخْوِيفًۭا takhwīfan (as) a warning

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.

(Ayah 59) ➊ {وَ مَا مَنَعَنَاۤ اَنْ نُّرْسِلَ بِالْاٰيٰتِ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ … :} In this verse, Allah Almighty has mentioned His special favor and mercy upon the Muslim Ummah, which is the last Ummah. The people of Makkah demanded many things from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as signs (see Bani Isra'il: 90 to 93), but Allah Almighty's consistent practice has been that after showing a sign, if any nation does not believe, it is destroyed with punishment, just as the people of Thamud were given a she-camel as a sign upon their demand, and when they wronged her, all the disbelievers were destroyed by {’’صَيْحَةٌ‘‘} (the blast) and {’’ رَجْفَةٌ ‘‘} (the earthquake). Allah Almighty did not give any such sign to our Messenger (peace be upon him), so that the opportunity for this Ummah to believe remains. If the present disbelievers do not believe, then people from their offspring may be able to believe. The sign given to our Ummah has two characteristics that were not present in the sign of any previous prophet. For details, see Surah Al-Ankabut (50, 51).
➋ { وَ مَا نُرْسِلُ بِالْاٰيٰتِ اِلَّا تَخْوِيْفًا:} That is, to warn of punishment, because if they do not fear, then punishment will descend upon them.

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.

59. 1 This verse was revealed when the disbelievers of Makkah demanded that Mount Safa be turned into gold or that the mountains of Makkah be removed from their places so that cultivation would become possible there. Upon this, Allah sent a message through Jibreel that We are ready to fulfill their demands, but if even after that they do not believe, then their destruction is certain. Then they will be given respite. The Prophet ﷺ also preferred that their demand not be fulfilled so that they may be saved from destruction. In this verse as well, Allah has stated this theme that sending down signs according to their wishes is not difficult for Us. But We refrain from this because previous nations also demanded signs according to their wishes, which were shown to them, but even then they denied and did not believe, as a result of which they were destroyed.

59. 2 The mention of the people of Thamud is given as an example because, at their request, a she-camel was brought forth from a rock, but these wrongdoers, instead of believing, killed that very she-camel, upon which, after three days, punishment descended upon them.

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.

59. Nothing prevents Us from sending miracles except that the former peoples denied them [73]. We gave the people of Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign [74], but they wronged her. And We do not send miracles except as a warning.

[73] That is, when stubborn and obstinate people do not believe even after seeing a tangible miracle or a miracle of their own choosing, then in such a case, the descent of divine punishment upon them becomes inevitable. However, since We do not wish to destroy the people of Makkah with such a punishment, and there are many wisdoms hidden in keeping them alive, therefore, it is in their best interest and safety not to grant them their requested miracle.

[74]
The Purpose of Showing a Miracle Is Merely to Instill Fear:

The circumstances of the people of Thamud are before them. They requested a miracle of their own choosing and a tangible miracle. Even after witnessing this miracle, they did not believe. As a result, they were destroyed. Although fulfilling a requested miracle is a powerful proof of Allah’s overwhelming power, yet if someone does not believe even after seeing such a miracle and no fear of Allah arises in his heart, then the only remedy for such people is that they be destroyed by a painful punishment.
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