Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And there came a man running from the farthest part of the town. He said: "O my people! Obey the Messengers.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَجَآءَwajāaAnd came
مِنْminfrom
أَقْصَاaqṣā(the) farthest end
ٱلْمَدِينَةِl-madīnati(of) the city
رَجُلٌۭrajuluna man
يَسْعَىٰyasʿārunning
قَالَqālaHe said
يَـٰقَوْمِyāqawmiO my People
ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ittabiʿūFollow
ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَl-mur'salīnathe 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 20) ➊ It is evident from {وَجَآءَمِنْاَقْصَاالْمَدِيْنَةِرَجُلٌيَّسْعٰى:} verses that the invitation of the prophets and the debate with the people continued for a long time, until their message spread throughout the entire town, and when they were threatened with murder, this news also spread everywhere that the people of the town wanted to kill the prophets. The town was quite large, which Allah Almighty has previously called {’’ الْقَرْيَةِ ‘‘}, and after that, referred to it as {’’ الْمَدِيْنَةِ ‘‘}, meaning city. In the farthest end of this city lived a righteous man; when he heard the news of the prophets’ invitation, the people’s rejection, and the threats to kill the prophets, he came running from the farthest end of the city, fearing that in haste they might actually kill the prophets, and he began to advise his people. The action of this righteous man is a model for us: when he realized that the prophets were upon the truth, he did not suffice by sitting in his place and simply remembering Allah, but in order to bear witness to the truth, he hurried as much as possible and, without caring for his own life, made every effort to advise his people and said, O my people! Follow these messengers of Allah. The name of this righteous man is written in the commentaries as Habib Najjar, which is taken from Israiliyyat. (And Allah knows best)
➋ Here is a question: In Surah Al-Qasas, while mentioning the person who informed Musa (peace be upon him) about the plot to kill him, it is stated: « وَجَآءَرَجُلٌمِّنْاَقْصَاالْمَدِيْنَةِ»[ القصص : ۲۰ ] whereas here it is stated: « وَجَآءَمِنْاَقْصَاالْمَدِيْنَةِرَجُلٌ» What is the wisdom in this? The scholars have said that what is mentioned first is always that which is more important according to the context. In Surah Al-Qasas, the bravery of the person who informed Musa (peace be upon him) was more important, so {’’ رَجُلٌ ‘‘} is mentioned first, whereas here, the mention of the advisor coming from afar to admonish was more important, so {’’ مِنْاَقْصَاالْمَدِيْنَةِ ‘‘} is mentioned first. (And Allah knows best)
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.
20. 1. This person was a Muslim; when he learned that the people were not accepting the invitation of the prophets, he came and encouraged supporting the messengers and following them.
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.
20. Then, from the farthest end of the city, a man came running [22] and said, "O my people! Follow the messengers.
[22] From this it is understood that the dialogue mentioned above between those messengers and their people did not take place over a few days, but rather spanned many years, and the call of the messengers, as well as the rejection and threats, had spread not only in this city but also in the surrounding suburbs. Thus, from among those suburbs, a righteous man—whose name is said to be Habib—when he heard that the people of the city were threatening to kill their messengers and might actually do something of the sort, he could not bear it. He himself was a devout man, earned a lawful (halal) livelihood with his own hands, and had a good reputation. As soon as he heard these things, he came running so that he could advise his people to refrain from opposing these messengers.