سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ

Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 188

The Poets · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 375

قَالَ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿188﴾
He said: "My Lord is the Best Knower of what you do."
قَالَ qāla He said
رَبِّىٓ rabbī My Lord
أَعْلَمُ aʿlamu knows best
بِمَا bimā of what
تَعْمَلُونَ taʿmalūna you do

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 188) {قَالَ رَبِّيْۤ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ :} Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) replied that bringing punishment or causing pieces to fall from the sky is not my task, it is the task of my Lord, because He alone knows well what you do, whether punishment is to come upon you or not, and if it is to come, then according to your deeds, when it is to come and to what extent it is to come. My task was to warn, and I have done that. In the incident of Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him), there is also a warning for the Quraysh, because they too used to make such demands from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): «{ اَوْ تُسْقِطَ السَّمَآءَ كَمَا زَعَمْتَ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًا اَوْ تَاْتِيَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةِ قَبِيْلًا [ بني إسرائیل : ۹۲ ] “Or you cause the sky to fall upon us in pieces, as you have claimed, or you bring Allah and the angels before us.”

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.

188-1. That is, the disbelief and polytheism you are committing, all is within Allah’s knowledge and He alone will recompense you for it; if He wills, He may give it to you in this world as well. This punishment and retribution is within His authority.

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.

Shu‘aib said, "My Lord is fully aware of what you do [109]."

[109]
The Warning of Sayyiduna Shu‘ayb (علیہ السلام):

That is, it is not my job to bring down punishment or to drop a piece of the sky. My Lord is watching your deeds. When your sins reach their limit, or when He deems it the appropriate time, He will send punishment upon you. I can only tell you this: that those who exceed all bounds in disobedience to Allah, Allah’s way is that He sends punishment upon them and destroys them.