سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ

Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 71

The Poets · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 370

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قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَـٰكِفِينَ ﴿71﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

They said: "We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted."

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
نَعْبُدُ naʿbudu We worship
أَصْنَامًۭا aṣnāman idols
فَنَظَلُّ fanaẓallu so we will remain
لَهَا lahā to them
عَـٰكِفِينَ ʿākifīna devoted

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.

In {قَالُوْا نَعْبُدُ اَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عٰكِفِيْنَ:’’ اَصْنَامًا ‘‘}, the tanween is for glorification. Working throughout the day is called {’’ظَلَّ يَظَلُّ‘‘} and working throughout the night is called {’’ بَاتَ يَبِيْتُ‘‘}. {’’ظَلَّ يَظَلُّ‘‘} also means being engaged in something at any time. {’’ عٰكِفِيْنَ ‘‘} refers to i'tikaf, meaning to remain seated in one place, i.e., being a devotee. In response to Ibrahim (peace be upon him)'s question, it would have been sufficient to say {’’ اَصْنَامًا ‘‘} (of the idols), but they said with pride that we worship great idols. By bringing {’’ لَهَا ‘‘} before {’’ عٰكِفِيْنَ ‘‘}, exclusivity is created, meaning we remain devotees only to them. It is just like if someone tries to explain to a grave-worshipper, "What are you worshipping?" (i.e., something that has no benefit), and he proudly replies, "We are devotees only of such-and-such shrine."

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.

71-1. That is, they worship Him night and day.

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.

71. They said, "We worship idols and remain devoted [49] to them."

[49] In response, the people said that you have asked this question about them in a very contemptuous tone. Whereas, in our view, these are extremely respectable things. That is why we sit before them with humility and devotion, our heads bowed.

The Belief in the Influence of Planets on Human Life:

It has already been explained that the people of Prophet Ibrahimؑ were, in reality, star-worshippers. And they strongly believed in the influence of planets on human life. They had fixed in their minds an image of the spirit of each planet, and then, according to that image, they would make idols or statues. For example, some were statues of the sun god, and some of the moon goddess. And their belief was that the spirit of the planet whose statue it was had a special connection with it. And if they worshipped these idols, they would be protected from the wrath of the planets and their harmful effects. And all of this was merely their imagination and conjecture, for which they had no evidence.
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