Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَتَبْنُونَatabnūnaDo you construct
بِكُلِّbikullion every
رِيعٍrīʿinelevation
ءَايَةًۭāyatana sign
تَعْبَثُونَtaʿbathūnaamusing yourselves
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 128) {اَتَبْنُوْنَبِكُلِّرِيْعٍاٰيَةًتَعْبَثُوْنَ : ’’ رِيْعٍ ‘‘} Elevated place. In the dictionary, {’’رِيْعٌ‘‘} (with kasrah and fathah) means elevated land or every wide path or every road or an open path in the mountain or a high mountain. It is used with a tā for the singular. {’’ اٰيَةً ‘‘} Sign, memorial. {’’ تَعْبَثُوْنَ ‘‘ ’’عَبَثٌ‘‘} (ʿ) To do useless and futile work, meaning you do useless and futile work. By {’’كُلُّرِيْعٍ‘‘} is meant many elevated places, because not every elevated place can be made a memorial, nor did they make one. Hud (peace be upon him) first invited his people to the fundamental teachings brought by all the prophets: faith in Allah, piety towards Him, and obedience. After that, he expressed disapproval of some of their actions. The first is that on every elevated and prominent place, where your pride and arrogance, your grandeur and wealth and power can be displayed, you make some kind of memorial, which has no benefit in this world or the Hereafter. The purpose of Hud (peace be upon him) is to turn them away from this tendency of ostentation, because of which such futile acts are done and it is thought that we are not answerable to anyone. Spending wealth extravagantly, someone builds a magnificent tomb as his memorial, someone erects a lofty minaret, someone constructs a pavilion. The pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal, which are counted among the wonders of the world, are also such futile and useless memorials of their founders, for which they will have to answer. These memorials have been condemned because they indicate pride and arrogance, extravagance, and wasting precious life, the cause of which is that their makers do not have a sense of accountability.
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.
128-1. ریع is the plural of ریعۃ. A mound, elevated place, mountain, pass or gorge — they would construct a building on these passageways which would become a famous landmark on a height. But its purpose was not to live in it, rather it was only for play and amusement. Prophet Hud ؑ forbade them, saying that you are doing such a deed in which both time and resources are wasted, and its purpose is also such that neither religion nor worldly benefit is attached to it, rather it is only for play and amusement. There is no doubt that being utterly useless and futile, it is of no benefit.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
