سُوْرَةُ فَاطِرٍ
Surah Faatir (35) — Ayah 14
إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا۟ دُعَآءَكُمْ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا۟ مَا ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ ۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ ﴿14﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of everything).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِن
in
If
تَدْعُوهُمْ
tadʿūhum
you invoke them
لَا
lā
not
يَسْمَعُوا۟
yasmaʿū
they hear
دُعَآءَكُمْ
duʿāakum
your call
وَلَوْ
walaw
and if
سَمِعُوا۟
samiʿū
they heard
مَا
mā
not
ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟
is'tajābū
they (would) respond
لَكُمْ ۖ
lakum
to you
وَيَوْمَ
wayawma
And (on the) Day
ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ
l-qiyāmati
(of) the Resurrection
يَكْفُرُونَ
yakfurūna
they will deny
بِشِرْكِكُمْ ۚ
bishir'kikum
your association
وَلَا
walā
And none
يُنَبِّئُكَ
yunabbi-uka
can inform you
مِثْلُ
mith'lu
like
خَبِيرٍۢ
khabīrin
(the) All-Aware
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 14) ➊ { اِنْ تَدْعُوْهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوْا دُعَآءَكُمْ:} As He said elsewhere: «وَ مَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ يَّدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَنْ لَّا يَسْتَجِيْبُ لَهٗۤ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ وَ هُمْ عَنْ دُعَآىِٕهِمْ غٰفِلُوْنَ » [ الأحقاف : ۵ ] “And who is more astray than he who calls upon, besides Allah, those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they are unaware of their supplication.”
➋ { وَ لَوْ سَمِعُوْا مَا اسْتَجَابُوْا لَكُمْ:} Even if they hear, they cannot benefit you in any way, because they have no authority at all, as He said: « اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ عِبَادٌ اَمْثَالُكُمْ فَادْعُوْهُمْ فَلْيَسْتَجِيْبُوْا لَكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِيْنَ» [الأعراف : ۱۹۴ ] “Indeed, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you, so call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.” And He said: « لَهٗ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ وَ الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ لَا يَسْتَجِيْبُوْنَ۠ لَهُمْ بِشَيْءٍ اِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ اِلَى الْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَ مَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهٖ وَ مَا دُعَآءُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اِلَّا فِيْ ضَلٰلٍ » [ الرعد : ۱۴ ] “The true call is only for Him, and those whom they call upon besides Him do not respond to them at all, except as one who stretches his hands toward water so that it may reach his mouth, but it will never reach it. And the supplication of the disbelievers is nothing but in vain.”
➌ { وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُوْنَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ :} For its detailed exegesis, see Surah Maryam (82) and Surah Qasas (62, 63).
➍ { وَ لَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيْرٍ :} In Arabia, this phrase is proverbial: when an ignorant person is warned by a wise and experienced one about the outcome, the wise one cautions him to keep this advice in mind and says: {’’لَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيْرٍ‘‘} meaning, the one who is aware, as he has informed you, no one else can inform you like that. Then, obviously, who can be more Knowing and Aware than Allah? (Mawahib) The meaning of {’’ خَبِيْرٍ ‘‘} is “the one who has complete knowledge,” and the one who has complete knowledge is Allah Himself; everyone else’s knowledge is incomplete, and no one can inform like the one who has complete knowledge. And He has informed you that no one hears the call except Allah; even if, hypothetically, they hear, they cannot accept the request, and on the Day of Resurrection, all of them will deny your shirk.
➋ { وَ لَوْ سَمِعُوْا مَا اسْتَجَابُوْا لَكُمْ:} Even if they hear, they cannot benefit you in any way, because they have no authority at all, as He said: « اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ عِبَادٌ اَمْثَالُكُمْ فَادْعُوْهُمْ فَلْيَسْتَجِيْبُوْا لَكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِيْنَ» [الأعراف : ۱۹۴ ] “Indeed, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you, so call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.” And He said: « لَهٗ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ وَ الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ لَا يَسْتَجِيْبُوْنَ۠ لَهُمْ بِشَيْءٍ اِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ اِلَى الْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَ مَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهٖ وَ مَا دُعَآءُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اِلَّا فِيْ ضَلٰلٍ » [ الرعد : ۱۴ ] “The true call is only for Him, and those whom they call upon besides Him do not respond to them at all, except as one who stretches his hands toward water so that it may reach his mouth, but it will never reach it. And the supplication of the disbelievers is nothing but in vain.”
➌ { وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُوْنَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ :} For its detailed exegesis, see Surah Maryam (82) and Surah Qasas (62, 63).
➍ { وَ لَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيْرٍ :} In Arabia, this phrase is proverbial: when an ignorant person is warned by a wise and experienced one about the outcome, the wise one cautions him to keep this advice in mind and says: {’’لَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيْرٍ‘‘} meaning, the one who is aware, as he has informed you, no one else can inform you like that. Then, obviously, who can be more Knowing and Aware than Allah? (Mawahib) The meaning of {’’ خَبِيْرٍ ‘‘} is “the one who has complete knowledge,” and the one who has complete knowledge is Allah Himself; everyone else’s knowledge is incomplete, and no one can inform like the one who has complete knowledge. And He has informed you that no one hears the call except Allah; even if, hypothetically, they hear, they cannot accept the request, and on the Day of Resurrection, all of them will deny your shirk.
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.
14. 1. That is, if you call upon them in times of hardship, they do not hear your call at all, because they are inanimate objects, idols made of stone.
14. 2. That is, even if, hypothetically, they were to hear, it would be useless, because they cannot fulfill your needs according to your supplications.
14. 3. Because no one possesses such perfect knowledge. Only He is fully aware of the reality of all matters, which includes the helplessness of those being called upon, their inability to hear the call, and their denial of it on the Day of Resurrection.
14. 2. That is, even if, hypothetically, they were to hear, it would be useless, because they cannot fulfill your needs according to your supplications.
14. 3. Because no one possesses such perfect knowledge. Only He is fully aware of the reality of all matters, which includes the helplessness of those being called upon, their inability to hear the call, and their denial of it on the Day of Resurrection.
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.
If you call upon them, they do not hear your call; and even if they were to hear, they could not respond to you [20]. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will deny your association [21]. And none can inform you like the All-Aware [22].
[20]
How is the Plea of the Polytheists Rendered Futile?
The word ﴿إسْتَجَابُوْا﴾ is used in two senses. One is in giving an answer or response to a call or question; for example, if a person asks me where the city of Karachi is located, I answer him that it is situated in the southwest of Pakistan. The second usage is when someone, for instance, asks me for one hundred rupees; the response to this is related to action, whether I give him the hundred rupees or not, and give a reply. The condition of these idols is such that they do not hear anything at all, and even if, hypothetically, they could hear, then neither can they give any answer nor can they act upon it. Thus, presenting a request before them is entirely pointless. For example, a person writes an application requesting a gas connection for his house, but instead of sending this application to the head office of the gas company, he sends it to the head office of the police department. It is obvious that nothing will be done on this application, no matter how much time passes, because giving a gas connection is not within the jurisdiction of the police department, even though those people certainly hear and understand. This is exactly the case with these polytheists; they present their requests to those who have no authority over anything. Therefore, even until the Day of Resurrection, the requests of the polytheists will never be acted upon. Allah the Exalted has expressed this reality at another place as follows: ﴿وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ الآَ فِيْ ضَلاَلٍٍ﴾
[21] From this sentence, it is understood that all kinds of deities will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection, whether they were prophets, angels, saints, or elders, whether they were political leaders or lifeless idols and such deities. And at this place, especially, the mention is of lifeless deities or idols. That is, even the idols will be given life and brought to the plain of resurrection. And there will be a dialogue between these deities and their worshippers, that is, the polytheists. So these lifeless idols will also stand firm and testify against the polytheists, and it is also possible that instead of these idols, those specific spirits may be present whom the polytheists had associated with these idols. Those deities will give the polytheists this very answer: "O wretched ones! When did we ever tell you to worship us? And even if you did worship us, we had no knowledge of it."
[22]
On the Day of Resurrection, the Deities Will Become Enemies of Their Worshippers:
By "Khabeer" is meant the Being of Allah the Exalted, Who is fully aware of the present and absent, past and future circumstances. And before Him, nothing is hidden; rather, everything is manifest. Now, if any other person gives news about the future, it is obvious that it cannot be certain, because its basis will be conjecture and estimation. In contrast, the news given by Allah is certain, because He is aware of future events and is also seeing them. And the news given by Allah is that on the Day of Resurrection, every kind of deity will testify against their worshipping polytheists, will deny their worship, and will become their enemies.
[20]
How is the Plea of the Polytheists Rendered Futile?
The word ﴿إسْتَجَابُوْا﴾ is used in two senses. One is in giving an answer or response to a call or question; for example, if a person asks me where the city of Karachi is located, I answer him that it is situated in the southwest of Pakistan. The second usage is when someone, for instance, asks me for one hundred rupees; the response to this is related to action, whether I give him the hundred rupees or not, and give a reply. The condition of these idols is such that they do not hear anything at all, and even if, hypothetically, they could hear, then neither can they give any answer nor can they act upon it. Thus, presenting a request before them is entirely pointless. For example, a person writes an application requesting a gas connection for his house, but instead of sending this application to the head office of the gas company, he sends it to the head office of the police department. It is obvious that nothing will be done on this application, no matter how much time passes, because giving a gas connection is not within the jurisdiction of the police department, even though those people certainly hear and understand. This is exactly the case with these polytheists; they present their requests to those who have no authority over anything. Therefore, even until the Day of Resurrection, the requests of the polytheists will never be acted upon. Allah the Exalted has expressed this reality at another place as follows: ﴿وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ الآَ فِيْ ضَلاَلٍٍ﴾
[21] From this sentence, it is understood that all kinds of deities will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection, whether they were prophets, angels, saints, or elders, whether they were political leaders or lifeless idols and such deities. And at this place, especially, the mention is of lifeless deities or idols. That is, even the idols will be given life and brought to the plain of resurrection. And there will be a dialogue between these deities and their worshippers, that is, the polytheists. So these lifeless idols will also stand firm and testify against the polytheists, and it is also possible that instead of these idols, those specific spirits may be present whom the polytheists had associated with these idols. Those deities will give the polytheists this very answer: "O wretched ones! When did we ever tell you to worship us? And even if you did worship us, we had no knowledge of it."
[22]
On the Day of Resurrection, the Deities Will Become Enemies of Their Worshippers:
By "Khabeer" is meant the Being of Allah the Exalted, Who is fully aware of the present and absent, past and future circumstances. And before Him, nothing is hidden; rather, everything is manifest. Now, if any other person gives news about the future, it is obvious that it cannot be certain, because its basis will be conjecture and estimation. In contrast, the news given by Allah is certain, because He is aware of future events and is also seeing them. And the news given by Allah is that on the Day of Resurrection, every kind of deity will testify against their worshipping polytheists, will deny their worship, and will become their enemies.
