Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, then verily you indeed would be losers.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَئِنْwala-inAnd surely if
أَطَعْتُمaṭaʿtumyou obey
بَشَرًۭاbasharana man
مِّثْلَكُمْmith'lakumlike you
إِنَّكُمْinnakumindeed, you
إِذًۭاidhanthen
لَّخَـٰسِرُونَlakhāsirūnasurely (will be) losers
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 34){ وَلَىِٕنْاَطَعْتُمْبَشَرًامِّثْلَكُمْ … :} In Surah Qamar, observe the words filled with contempt regarding the same people’s Salih (peace be upon him), it is said: «{ فَقَالُوْۤااَبَشَرًامِّنَّاوَاحِدًانَّتَّبِعُهٗۤاِنَّاۤاِذًالَّفِيْضَلٰلٍوَّسُعُرٍ (24) ءَاُلْقِيَالذِّكْرُعَلَيْهِمِنْۢبَيْنِنَابَلْهُوَكَذَّابٌاَشِرٌ }»[ القمر : ۲۴، ۲۵ ] “So they said, ‘Shall we follow a single man from among ourselves? Indeed, we would then be in error and madness. Has the reminder been sent down to him alone from among us? Rather, he is a great liar, an arrogant one.’” The chiefs, proud of their wealth and status, when they saw their leadership in danger, accepted disgrace in this world and the Hereafter, but despite witnessing countless signs, did not accept faith in the Messenger and did not accept to follow him. Among the calamities of leadership, this is the greatest calamity. May Allah protect from it.
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.
34-1. It is indeed a loss that you accept a human like yourself as a Messenger and acknowledge his superiority and excellence, whereas how can one human be superior to another human? This is the very misconception that persisted in the minds of those who denied the humanity of the Messenger. However, when Allah selects a human for Messengership, then due to the revelation of Messengership, he becomes far superior and extremely exalted above all other non-Prophet humans in honor and excellence.
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.
34. And if you obey a man like yourselves, then surely you will be losers [40].
[40] One Sees the Speck in Another’s Eye but Not the Beam in One’s Own:
Although they themselves were also ordinary human beings, and ate and drank like common people, yet they had become leaders of the masses and wanted the people to obey them. Their propaganda was not because a human being cannot become a leader, but only because they feared that people might accept the Prophet’s message and abandon their obedience to them in favor of obedience to him. In other words, their real fear was for their own leadership, and for them, this was truly a matter of loss. But they wanted to make the people believe that by obeying the Prophet, they would be at a loss. Thus, despite being human themselves, in their view, there was no question of any loss in people obeying them.