Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both; so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily we have been sent to you as Messengers."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِذْidhWhen
أَرْسَلْنَآarsalnāWe sent
إِلَيْهِمُilayhimuto them
ٱثْنَيْنِith'naynitwo (Messengers)
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَاfakadhabūhumābut they denied both of them
فَعَزَّزْنَاfaʿazzaznāso We strengthened them
بِثَالِثٍۢbithālithinwith a third
فَقَالُوٓا۟faqālūand they said
إِنَّآinnāIndeed, We
إِلَيْكُمilaykumto you
مُّرْسَلُونَmur'salūna(are) Messengers
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 { اِذْاَرْسَلْنَاۤاِلَيْهِمُاثْنَيْنِفَكَذَّبُوْهُمَا … :} That is, We sent to them two messengers, but they denied both of them, so We strengthened them with a third messenger, so all of them, with the emphatic particle {’’إِنَّ‘‘}, said to them, "Indeed, we have been sent to you."
➋ Mufassir Abdul Rahman Kilani (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Which town was this? There is no explicit mention of it in the Qur'an or Hadith. (Some) commentators say that it refers to the city of Antioch in Rome. Then there is also a difference of opinion as to whether these were direct messengers or indirect messengers or preachers. Some say that these preachers were sent by Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him) himself, and some say that they were among the disciples of Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him). From the apparent statement of the Qur'an, it seems that they were direct messengers of Allah, and if this is the case, then their time should be before Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him), because after Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him) and until the advent of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), no prophet or messenger was sent. And specifying the name of the town or whether the messengers were direct or indirect is not something essential in itself that its investigation is necessary; the essential thing is to make the disbelievers of Makkah understand. Because there were many similarities between the circumstances of the disbelievers of Makkah and the people of that town." These messengers were not sent by Isa (peace be upon him) but were sent by Allah Himself. One proof of this is that the same objection was raised against them as was raised against other messengers of Allah, that "You are human beings like us." If they had been the disciples of Isa (peace be upon him), a different objection would have been raised against them.
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. Who were these three messengers? The commentators have mentioned various names for them, but the names are not established from any authentic source. Some commentators believe that they were sent by ‘Isa (peace be upon him), whom he sent by Allah’s command to a town for preaching and invitation. The name of the town was Antakiyah.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).