سُوْرَةُ فَاطِرٍ

Surah Faatir (35) — Ayah 16

The Originator · Meccan · Juz 22 · Page 436

إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ﴿16﴾
If He willed, He could destroy you and bring about a new creation.
إِن in If
يَشَأْ yasha He wills
يُذْهِبْكُمْ yudh'hib'kum He (can) do away with you
وَيَأْتِ wayati and bring
بِخَلْقٍۢ bikhalqin in a creation
جَدِيدٍۢ jadīdin new

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 17,16) ➊ { اِنْ يَّشَاْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ … :} Zamakhshari said: "In this verse, there is an expression of anger towards them because of associating partners, as He said: «وَ اِنْ تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُوْنُوْۤا اَمْثَالَكُمْ » [ محمد : ۳۸ ] 'And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people, then they will not be like you.'"
➋ Along with the expression of anger, there is also a statement of His being free of need, that if Allah wishes to destroy you, He can do so, because He did not create you to fulfill any need of His. Neither will His dominion decrease by your absence, nor is it that He cannot create others like you. If He wills, He can destroy you and create a new creation, who will be better than you in every way, and this is not difficult for Allah.

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.

16. 1. This too is an example of His absolute independence: if He wills, He can destroy you and in your place create a new creation that is obedient to Him and not disobedient, or it means that He can create a new creation and a new world with which you are unfamiliar.

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 He wills, He can do away with you and bring forth a new creation [24].

[24] That is, if you choose the path of disobedience to Allah, He will remove you. He will wipe you out from the face of existence and will settle in your place such people who are obedient to Him. Then He will test them. From the beginning of mankind, this has been Allah’s way: He crushes disobedient and rebellious nations and settles other nations in their place, and this is not at all difficult for Allah.