سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ

Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 39

The Prophets · Meccan · Juz 17 · Page 325

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لَوْ يَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ حِينَ لَا يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَلَا عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ﴿39﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

If only those who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs, and they will not be helped.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

لَوْ law If
يَعْلَمُ yaʿlamu knew
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieved
حِينَ ḥīna (the) time
لَا lā (when) not
يَكُفُّونَ yakuffūna they will avert
عَن ʿan from
وُجُوهِهِمُ wujūhihimu their faces
ٱلنَّارَ l-nāra the Fire
وَلَا walā and not
عَن ʿan from
ظُهُورِهِمْ ẓuhūrihim their backs
وَلَا walā and not
هُمْ hum they
يُنصَرُونَ yunṣarūna will be helped

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 39) ➊ { لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا …:} That is, the real reason for their denial of the punishment and considering it impossible is their ignorance; they do not even have knowledge of the time when the Fire will surround them from all sides. They will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, which is the most important and beautiful part of their body, nor from their backs, which is the strongest part of the body. When they cannot save these parts from the Fire, how will they save the other parts? The mention of the disbelievers being surrounded by the Fire from all sides has come in several places. See Surah Al-Kahf (29), Al-A'raf (41), Az-Zumar (16), Ibrahim (50), Al-Mu’minun (104), and other verses. There are two interpretations of "Law": one is that it is a conditional particle and its result is omitted, which is understood by itself, i.e., if the disbelievers knew that time, they would neither ever hasten for it, nor mock it, nor deny it. The second interpretation is that it is a particle of wish, i.e., "If only the disbelievers knew that time." In this case, there is no need for a result.

➋ { وَ لَا هُمْ يُنْصَرُوْنَ :} No one will come to help them, nor will they be able to help themselves or each other. See Surah At-Tariq (10), As-Saffat (25, 26), and Ash-Shu'ara (92 to 95).

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.

39. 1. Its answer is separate, that is, if they had known, then they would not have hastened for the punishment, or they would certainly have known that the Day of Judgment is coming, or they would not have remained firm on disbelief but would have embraced faith.

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.

39. If only these disbelievers knew the time when they will not be able to protect their faces [36] or their backs from the Fire, nor will they be helped from anywhere.

[36] That is, the only reason for their demand is that they do not truly believe in the punishment of the Fire with which they are being warned. If this reality were to be unveiled before them and they were to truly understand that dreadful moment, they would never make such a request. Then, when that time comes before them and the Fire surrounds them from the front and the back, from the right and the left, from above and below—in short, from every direction—they will see no way to escape it. And all the things they are saying today, on that day they will be so bewildered that none of these things will even come to their minds.
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