Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 19
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ {وَ مَنْ عِنْدَهٗ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهٖ :} That is, those who bear the Throne (Al-Haqqah: 17) and other angels and Allah’s creation whom only He knows. That is, when such magnificent angels are always engaged in the worship of Allah and do not consider themselves above it, then what status does man have to consider himself above worshipping Him?
➌ {وَ لَا يَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ: ’’حَسَرَ يَحْسِرُ حُسُوْرًا (ض)‘‘} Means to become weary. In Surah Al-Mulk it is said: «{يَنْقَلِبْ اِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَّ هُوَ حَسِيْرٌ}» [ الملک : ۴ ] “The sight will return to you humbled and weary.” Here, there is a question that {’’يَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ ‘‘} is from the form of istif‘āl, in which the meaning of seeking is found, or due to the addition of letters, the meaning becomes intensified. What is the point of using the form of istif‘āl here? The scholars have given various answers to this, one of which is that {’’ وَ لَا يَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ أَيْ لَا يَطْلُبُوْنَ أَنْ يَّنْقَطِعُوْا عَنْ ذٰلِكَ فَأَنْتَجَ ذٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُ ’’ يُسَبِّحُوْنَ الَّيْلَ وَ النَّهَارَ ‘‘} “That is, they do not even wish to become weary from the worship of Allah, nor do they have any desire for it. As a result, they glorify Allah day and night, without pause.” (Biqā‘ī) The best answer is the one given by Abū al-Su‘ūd and Alūsī, may Allah have mercy on them, that when a negative particle comes upon a word of exaggeration, the negation is not of the exaggeration, but rather the negation itself is emphasized. As in {’’ وَ مَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيْدِ ‘‘}, the meaning will not be “Your Lord is not very unjust to the servants,” but rather “Your Lord does not do any injustice to the servants at all.” See Surah Āl ‘Imrān (182) and Al-Anfāl (51). Thus, the meaning of {’’ وَ لَا يَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ‘‘} will be “And they do not become weary in the least.” The same explanations apply to {’’ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ‘‘}. For similar verses, see Surah Al-Nahl (49, 50) and Al-Nisā’ (172).
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.
19. 2. By this are meant the angels; they too are His slaves and servants. These words also indicate their honor and dignity, that they are the ones close to His court. They are not His daughters as the polytheists believed.
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.
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The Duties of the Angels:
That is, angels are such creatures of Allah who are constantly engaged in His glorification and praise at all times, and they do not perform Allah’s worship with any reluctance, but rather, they do so with utmost willingness. The Quran here uses the word "yastahsiroon," and "istihsar" refers to the kind of fatigue or weariness that arises from doing something unpleasant. And their glorification is just as uninterrupted as the continuous breathing of a human being, in which there is never a pause. The meaning is that if Allah’s sole purpose in creating mankind had been only His worship, then the angels were already fulfilling this task in the best possible manner. But the real purpose was that a battle between truth and falsehood should take place here, and that could only happen by creating man and granting him intellect and the power of will and choice, and the trial of human beings could only occur in this way.
