Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 26
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.
From the light of God were created the five pure ones:
Muhammad, Ali, Fatimah, Husayn, and Hasan.
Since this is the worst form of shirk and a great disrespect to Allah (see Maryam: 88–90; Baqarah: 116; Nisa: 171), Allah refuted it in several ways.
➋ First, He refuted it by saying {’’ وَ قَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمٰنُ وَلَدًا ‘‘} (And they said, “The Most Merciful has taken a son”), meaning that a father and child are of the same kind. Now, where is the Most Merciful, by whose perfect mercy this universe came into existence and continues to run, and besides whom you do not consider anyone else worthy of the name “Most Merciful”? If you accept that He has offspring, then due to the father and child being of the same kind, you would have to consider the angels, Uzair and the Messiah (peace be upon them), and due to being from the same light, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the five pure ones as deserving of the name “Most Merciful.” Think for yourself, were these the Most Merciful?
➌ Then He refuted it by saying {’’ سُبْحٰنَهٗ ‘‘}, meaning that the weaknesses for which offspring are needed, He is free from them. Man needs children because of his own weaknesses, so that they may help him in difficulty, support him in old age (the staff of old age), and succeed him after death. Then, for children, a wife is necessary; man needs a wife because of his carnal desires. See Surah An’am (101). The Most Merciful is free from all these weaknesses; if He had these weaknesses, He would not be the Most Merciful, but would Himself be in need of mercy, just like all humans, jinn, angels, and all creatures. Then He would neither be the Most Merciful nor free from all faults and weaknesses. [ سُبْحَانَہُ وَ تَعَالٰی عَمَّا یُشْرِکُوْنَ ]
➍ Then He refuted it by saying {’’ بَلْ عِبَادٌ ‘‘}, meaning those whom they call offspring are servants (slaves). A slave is not the offspring of his master, and a child is not the slave of his father. Servitude and sonship cannot be combined. The scholars have deduced from this verse that if someone’s son comes into his ownership as a slave, he will be set free, because sonship and servitude cannot be combined.
➎ { ’’ مُكْرَمُوْنَ ‘‘ } The disbelievers declared these personalities as Allah’s offspring because of their great status. Allah removed their doubt by saying that all the greatness and high rank of these personalities is only because they have been granted honor. There is no excellence of their own in this, whereas a father and child are equal and similar in attributes.
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.
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.
[22]
Angels Are Not the Children of Allah, But Obedient Servants of Allah:
This address is only to the polytheists of Makkah who considered the angels to be the daughters of Allah, because this matter is clarified further ahead. These angels are humble slaves of Allah and are honored in the sense that they are always engaged in the glorification and sanctification of Allah. They are so well-mannered that they do not speak in the presence of Allah; they only await His command. And when they are given any command, they immediately comply with it.
