سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ

Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 56

The Prophets · Meccan · Juz 17 · Page 326

قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ ﴿56﴾
He said: "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and to that I am one of the witnesses.
قَالَ qāla He said
بَل bal Nay
رَّبُّكُمْ rabbukum your Lord
رَبُّ rabbu (is the) Lord
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ l-samāwāti (of) the heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِ wal-arḍi and the earth
ٱلَّذِى alladhī the One Who
فَطَرَهُنَّ faṭarahunna created them
وَأَنَا۠ wa-anā and I am
عَلَىٰ ʿalā to
ذَٰلِكُم dhālikum that
مِّنَ mina of
ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ l-shāhidīna the witnesses

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 56) ➊ {قَالَ بَلْ رَّبُّكُمْ … : ’’ بَلْ ‘‘} (Rather) a part of the speech before this is omitted, which is understood by itself, that is, I am not saying this in jest but with full seriousness, that these idols and statues are not Lord, rather your Lord is only He who is the Lord of all the heavens and the earth. In {’’ رَبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ ‘‘}, both the subject and predicate being definite creates the meaning of exclusivity.

{ وَ اَنَا عَلٰى ذٰلِكُمْ مِّنَ الشّٰهِدِيْنَ :} That is, I can prove this matter with evidence, not like you, who have no proof except the imitation of forefathers (because testimony is given only about that which a person has certain knowledge of, whereas imitation and knowledge are mutually exclusive). (Razi)

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.

56. 1. That is, I am not joking, rather I am presenting something of which I have knowledge and certainty (observation), and that is that your deity is not idols, but the Lord who is the Owner of the heavens and the earth and their Creator.

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.

He replied, "No, rather your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them [50], and I am of those who bear witness to this."

[50] Prophet Ibrahimؑ replied that this is not a matter of jest, but in reality, I truly believe that these stone idols, who do not possess any power to benefit or harm themselves, how can they possibly be the masters of your benefit or harm? And as for myself, I consider only my Lord, who created all of us as well as the earth and the heavens, and who rules over them with complete authority, to be the true master of benefit and harm. And I am not saying this based on mere conjecture or assumption, but with full certainty.