Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He said: "My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَqālaHe said
رَبِّrabbiMy Lord
إِنِّىinnīIndeed, [I]
وَهَنَwahana(have) weakened
ٱلْعَظْمُl-ʿaẓmumy bones
مِنِّىminnīmy bones
وَٱشْتَعَلَwa-ish'taʿalaand flared
ٱلرَّأْسُl-rasu(my) head
شَيْبًۭاshayban(with) white
وَلَمْwalamand not
أَكُنۢakunI have been
بِدُعَآئِكَbiduʿāikain (my) supplication (to) You
رَبِّrabbimy Lord
شَقِيًّۭاshaqiyyanunblessed
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 4) ➊ {قَالَرَبِّاِنِّيْوَهَنَالْعَظْمُ …: ’’ الْعَظْمُ ‘‘} Although it is singular, the meaning is of the genus, that is, whichever of my bones it is, it has become weak. If the plural word had been used {’’ اَلْعِظَامُ ‘‘} meaning bones, then it could have meant any collection of bones. {’’ اشْتَعَلَالرَّاْسُ ‘‘} The whitening of all the hair of the head is likened to the flames of fire, with the word fire omitted, and due to old age, the head is made like one struck by flames; this is called a metaphor. By mentioning his extreme weakness in these words, he prayed to Allah, because He has more mercy on the weak. This is one of the etiquettes of supplication. ➋ { وَلَمْاَكُنْۢبِدُعَآىِٕكَرَبِّشَقِيًّا: ’’ كَانَ ‘‘} Is for perpetuity; when negation comes upon it, perpetual negation is meant, that is, it has never happened, so the translation is "I have never been deprived." In this, by invoking Allah’s constant kindness and grace upon himself, he prayed, especially by invoking the fact that You have always made it a habit for me that my prayers are accepted, because mentioning Allah’s names and attributes in supplication is also among the etiquettes of supplication, as in Surah Al-Fatiha, before presenting the request, Allah’s praise is mentioned. In addition, Allah has said: «{ وَلِلّٰهِالْاَسْمَآءُالْحُسْنٰىفَادْعُوْهُبِهَا }»[ الأعراف : ۱۸۰ ] "And the most beautiful names belong to Allah, so call upon Him by 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.
4. 1 That is, just as wood blazes up from fire, in the same way my head has blazed up from the whiteness of hair; the meaning is an expression of weakness and old age. 4. 2 And for this reason, despite the absence of apparent means, I am asking You for offspring.
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.
4. And said: "My Lord! My bones have become weak and my head is shining with gray hair [5], but, my Lord, I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You [6].
[5] The literal meaning of "ishta'al al-ra's" is "the head has flamed," but it is used idiomatically for when, due to old age, the hair of the head becomes white and shiny. [6] One meaning is as mentioned in the translation: that whenever I prayed to You, it was always accepted. The second meaning is: O Lord, whenever You called me to do something, I always fulfilled it and was never found wretched.