سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْزَابِ

Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 17

The Clans · Medinan · Juz 21 · Page 420

قُلْ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَعْصِمُكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ رَحْمَةً ۚ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا ﴿17﴾
Say: "Who is he who can protect you from Allâh if He intends to harm you, or intends mercy on you?" And they will not find, besides Allâh, for themselves any Walî (protector, supporter) or any helper.
قُلْ qul Say
مَن man Who
ذَا dhā (is) it that
ٱلَّذِى alladhī (is) it that
يَعْصِمُكُم yaʿṣimukum (can) protect you
مِّنَ mina from
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
إِنْ in If
أَرَادَ arāda He intends
بِكُمْ bikum for you
سُوٓءًا sūan any harm
أَوْ aw or
أَرَادَ arāda He intends
بِكُمْ bikum for you
رَحْمَةًۭ ۚ raḥmatan a mercy
وَلَا walā And not
يَجِدُونَ yajidūna they will find
لَهُم lahum for them
مِّن min besides
دُونِ dūni besides
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
وَلِيًّۭا waliyyan any protector
وَلَا walā and not
نَصِيرًۭا naṣīran any helper

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 17) {قُلْ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يَعْصِمُكُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ … :} For its explanation, see Surah Yunus (107) and Surah Zumar (38). That is, in your opinion, you fled to escape from the polytheists of Arabia, but if Allah commands and the Muslims now kill you, then who will save you, or if He intends to have mercy on you, then who can restrain His hand? In any case, no protector or helper can save them from Allah’s grasp.

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.

17-1. That is, if He wills to destroy you, afflict you with illness, cause loss in your wealth and property, or subject you to famine, then who is there who can save you from that? Or if He wills to bestow His grace and bounty upon you, then who can prevent it?

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.

Ask them, "Who is there to protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you, or if He intends to show you mercy, who can prevent it [22]? They will find neither protector nor helper against Allah."

[22] That is, life and death, as well as all comfort and hardship in this world, are in Allah’s hands. If death is destined for you, it will come even after fleeing from battle. Similarly, if a few days of comfort and ease are written for you, only then will you attain them. This is the belief that grants a sincere believer immense courage. But the hypocrites only look at apparent causes and rely on them. They value only worldly interests and are heedless of the reality that they can only receive what Allah wants to give them.