Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Say: "If (even) I go astray, I shall stray only to my own loss. But if I remain guided, it is because of the Revelation of my Lord to me. Truly, He is All-Hearer, Ever Near (to all things)."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قُلْqulSay
إِنinIf
ضَلَلْتُḍalaltuI err
فَإِنَّمَآfa-innamāthen only
أَضِلُّaḍilluI will err
عَلَىٰʿalāagainst
نَفْسِى ۖnafsīmyself
وَإِنِwa-iniBut if
ٱهْتَدَيْتُih'tadaytuI am guided
فَبِمَاfabimāthen it is by what
يُوحِىٓyūḥīreveals
إِلَىَّilayyato me
رَبِّىٓ ۚrabbīmy Lord
إِنَّهُۥinnahuIndeed, He
سَمِيعٌۭsamīʿun(is) All-Hearer
قَرِيبٌۭqarībunEver-Near
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 50) ➊ { قُلْاِنْضَلَلْتُفَاِنَّمَاۤاَضِلُّعَلٰىنَفْسِيْ :} This is the fifth instruction: tell them for their understanding that if I have gone astray because I abandoned your idols and the religion of your forefathers, as you keep saying about me, then the burden of this misguidance will fall upon me alone; you bear no responsibility for it. And if I am rightly guided, as is the reality, then this is not my own excellence or virtue, but rather it is because Allah Almighty has guided me. And I have clearly told you that I do not follow my own desires or anyone else, but only follow the revelation that is sent to me, as He said: «قُلْاِنَّمَاۤاَتَّبِعُمَايُوْحٰۤىاِلَيَّمِنْرَّبِّيْ »[ الأعراف : ۲۰۳ ] “Say, I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.” In this verse, the etiquette is also taught that faults and mistakes should be attributed to oneself, and guidance should be attributed to Allah Almighty, because all good is in the hands of Allah Almighty, and guidance and goodness are only in the revelation sent down by Allah Almighty and the truth He has stated. Then, whoever goes astray, does so because of his own self, and whoever receives guidance, receives it from Allah, as when Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about an issue, he said: [ أَقُوْلُفِيْهَابِرَأْيِيْ،فَإِنْيَّكُخَطَأًفَمِنِّيْوَمِنَالشَّيْطَانِ،وَإِنْيَّكُصَوَابًا،فَمِنَاللّٰهِ ][ مسند أحمد : 279/4، ح : ۱۸۴۸۹ ] “I say about it according to my opinion; if it is mistaken, then it is from myself and from Satan, and if it is correct, then it is from Allah Almighty.”
➋ {اِنَّهٗسَمِيْعٌقَرِيْبٌ :} Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that we were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and when we would reach the heights of a valley, we would say “La ilaha illallah” and “Allahu Akbar,” and our voices would become loud. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ يَاأَيُّهَاالنَّاسُ! ارْبَعُوْاعَلٰیأَنْفُسِكُمْ،فَإِنَّكُمْلَاتَدْعُوْنَأَصَمَّوَلَاغَائِبًا،إِنَّهُمَعَكُمْ،إِنَّهُسَمِيْعٌقَرِيْبٌ،تَبَارَكَاسْمُهُوَتَعَالٰیجَدُّهُ ][ بخاري، الجہاد والسیر، باب ما یکرہ من رفع الصوت في التکبیر : ۲۹۹۲ ] “People! Be gentle with yourselves, for you are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent; He is with you, indeed He is All-Hearing, Near. His name is very blessed and His majesty is very high.”
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.
50. 1. That is, all goodness is from Allah, and the revelation and clear truth that Allah has sent down contains guidance and right direction; people find the correct path through it. So, when someone goes astray, it is due to the person’s own shortcomings and desires. Therefore, its consequence will also be upon him.
50. 2. Just as it is stated in the hadith: "You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent," rather, you are calling upon the One who is Hearing, Near, and Responsive.
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.
Say, "If I go astray, I will bear the consequences of my straying [75], but if I am rightly guided, it is because of what my Lord reveals to me. Surely, He is All-Hearing, Ever Near."
[75] That is, if I have merely staged this as a deception, then how long can it really last? After all, falsehood has no legs to stand on. In that case, you should stop worrying about me; I will soon face the consequences of this falsehood myself, and its burden will not fall upon you at all. But if I am on the right path, then what could be the source of this guidance except divine revelation? You have ancestral tradition as your source of knowledge; I do not even have that. In this situation, you should think for yourselves what your own end might be. My Lord, who is the sender of this message, is hearing all our words, and He will soon help the truth.