Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And the example of those who disbelieve is as that of him who shouts to those (flock of sheep) that hears nothing but calls and cries. (They are) deaf, dumb and blind. So they do not understand. (Tafsîr Al-Qurtubi )
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَثَلُwamathaluAnd (the) example
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīna(of) those who
كَفَرُوا۟kafarūdisbelieve[d]
كَمَثَلِkamathali(is) like (the) example
ٱلَّذِىalladhī(of) the one who
يَنْعِقُyanʿiqushouts
بِمَاbimāat what
لَاlānot
يَسْمَعُyasmaʿu(does) hear
إِلَّاillāexcept
دُعَآءًۭduʿāancalls
وَنِدَآءًۭ ۚwanidāanand cries
صُمٌّۢṣummundeaf
بُكْمٌbuk'mundumb
عُمْىٌۭʿum'yun(and) blind
فَهُمْfahum[so] they
لَاlā(do) not
يَعْقِلُونَyaʿqilūnaunderstand
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 171) {”نَعَقَبِغَنَمِهٖ“} (F, D) To call and scold one’s sheep and goats. (Qamus) The example of the disbelievers is in two ways: First, the example of the one who tries to make these disbelievers understand is like that of a person who tries to make animals understand, who hear nothing but calls and shouts. These disbelievers, despite having ears, tongues, and eyes, due to stubbornness and hostility, are deaf, dumb, and blind to hearing, seeing, and acknowledging the truth. In Surah Al-A'raf (179), such people are described as like cattle, rather, even more astray and completely unaware. See also Surah Az-Zukhruf (40) and Yunus (42, 43).
Secondly, in the sense that their example is like those senseless animals whose herds follow their shepherds and move at their call without thinking. In the same way, these people follow their leaders without thinking, as if this is a parable of blind imitation of forefathers. Both meanings are present in the verse.
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.
171. 1. The example of those disbelievers who, in following their forefathers, have suspended their intellect and understanding is like that of animals whom the shepherd calls and summons; those animals hear the sound but do not understand why they are being called and summoned. In the same way, these followers of ancestral imitation are deaf in that they do not hear the voice of truth, dumb in that the truth does not come from their tongues, blind in that they are unable to see the truth, and devoid of intellect in that they are incapable of understanding the call to truth, monotheism, and Sunnah. Here, "du'a" refers to a nearby call and "nida'" refers to a distant call.
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.
171. The example of the disbelievers is like someone who shouts at what hears nothing but a call and a cry—deaf, dumb, and blind; so they do not understand [213].
[213] That is, the example of the disbelievers is like that of senseless animals. When the shepherd calls them, they cannot understand what he is saying; rather, they merely hear the sound and move about here and there. Like animals, these disbelievers, upon hearing the truth, can neither understand it nor speak the truth, and in the matter of seeing the truth, they are blind. Then how can they be guided, when they themselves have closed all the paths to guidance upon themselves.