سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ

Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 21

The Ant · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 378

‹
›
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿21﴾

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

"I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ la-uʿadhibannahu I will surely punish him
عَذَابًۭا ʿadhāban (with) a punishment
شَدِيدًا shadīdan severe
أَوْ aw or
لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ laādh'baḥannahu I will surely slaughter him
أَوْ aw unless
لَيَأْتِيَنِّى layatiyannī he brings me
بِسُلْطَـٰنٍۢ bisul'ṭānin a reason
مُّبِينٍۢ mubīnin clear

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 21) {لَاُعَذِّبَنَّهٗ عَذَابًا شَدِيْدًا … :} The hoopoe’s absence without permission was a clear act of disobedience, so Solomon (peace be upon him) pronounced two punishments for it in case it did not present a clear excuse: one, to slaughter it, and the other, a severe punishment less than slaughter. From this, it is understood that there should be disciplinary action for disobedience to the ruler without excuse. If a mujahid is absent without permission, it will be considered whether this is his habit or happened by chance. If it is habitual, and his absence affects the army, and his behavior risks undermining the value of the leader’s commands, then his offense becomes very serious. Similarly, the occasion from which he was absent is also considered; if his responsibility is such that his absence or falling asleep endangers the entire army, then forgiving such negligence would mean destroying one’s own army. Despite this, observe the perfect justice and patience of Solomon (peace be upon him) that he exempted from this punishment in case a clear proof was presented.

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

21. (If this is the case,) I will surely punish him severely, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear excuse [23]."

[23]
At Some Occasion, Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) Felt the Need for the Hoopoe:

It is well-known about the hoopoe that it can detect places where water is closer to the surface of the earth. Allah knows best whether this was the need or something else; he searched for the hoopoe among the army of birds but did not find it there. He was greatly distressed by this and said that either it should present a reasonable excuse for its absence, otherwise he would give it a severe punishment or even slaughter it.
← Previous All Surahs Next →
Telegram
Facebook