سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 32

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 1 · Page 6

قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿32﴾
They (angels) said: "Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise."
قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
سُبْحَـٰنَكَ sub'ḥānaka Glory be to You
لَا No
عِلْمَ ʿil'ma knowledge
لَنَآ lanā (is) for us
إِلَّا illā except
مَا what
عَلَّمْتَنَآ ۖ ʿallamtanā You have taught us
إِنَّكَ innaka Indeed You
أَنتَ anta You
ٱلْعَلِيمُ l-ʿalīmu (are) the All-Knowing
ٱلْحَكِيمُ l-ḥakīmu the All-Wise

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

32. The angels said, "Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us [44]. Surely, You alone are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

[44] From this, it is understood that the angels were only given knowledge of those matters in which they are appointed as managers of affairs. For example, the angel of clouds and water possesses complete knowledge regarding water, but is entirely unaware of the functions and properties of all other things. The same is the case with other angels. Whereas man was given a general knowledge of all things, and then, through research and inquiry, he can further increase it on his own.