سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ

Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 199

The Poets · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 375

فَقَرَأَهُۥ عَلَيْهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿199﴾
And he had recited it unto them, they would not have believed in it.
فَقَرَأَهُۥ faqara-ahu And he (had) recited it
عَلَيْهِم ʿalayhim to them
مَّا not
كَانُوا۟ kānū they would
بِهِۦ bihi in it
مُؤْمِنِينَ mu'minīna (be) believers

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

199-1. That is, if it had been revealed in a non-Arabic language, they would have said that we do not understand it at all. As is in (وَلَوْ جَعَلْنٰهُ قُرْاٰنًا اَعْجَمِيًّا لَّـقَالُوْا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ اٰيٰتُهٗ ڼءَاَعْجَمِيٌّ وَّعَرَبِيٌّ ۭ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا هُدًى وَّشِفَاۗءٌ ۭ وَالَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ فِيْٓ اٰذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَّهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۭ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِنْ مَّكَانٍۢ بَعِيْدٍ) 41. Fussilat:44).

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.

199. Even if he were to recite it to them, they would still not believe in it [117].

[117] The current situation is that the Prophet is also an Arab and the Quran is also in the Arabic language, so these disbelievers have become suspicious that perhaps the Prophet himself has authored the Quran. Now, suppose that We had revealed this eloquent Arabic Quran to a non-Arab, then many other avenues for doubt and suspicion would have opened up for them. For example, they could have said that these verses were not revealed to him by Allah through Gabriel, but rather that some jinn or devil taught him. The real issue is that this is a case of "an evil disposition has many excuses." When there is corruption in intention, thousands of excuses for doubt and suspicion can be found.