سُوْرَةُ الزُّمَرِ
Surah Az-Zumar (39) — Ayah 9
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿9﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Is one who is obedient to Allâh, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh’s Signs and Verses).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَمَّنْ
amman
Is (one) who
هُوَ
huwa
[he]
قَـٰنِتٌ
qānitun
(is) devoutly obedient
ءَانَآءَ
ānāa
(during) hours
ٱلَّيْلِ
al-layli
(of) the night
سَاجِدًۭا
sājidan
prostrating
وَقَآئِمًۭا
waqāiman
and standing
يَحْذَرُ
yaḥdharu
fearing
ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ
l-ākhirata
the Hereafter
وَيَرْجُوا۟
wayarjū
and hoping
رَحْمَةَ
raḥmata
(for the) Mercy
رَبِّهِۦ ۗ
rabbihi
(of) his Lord
قُلْ
qul
Say
هَلْ
hal
Are
يَسْتَوِى
yastawī
equal
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
يَعْلَمُونَ
yaʿlamūna
know
وَٱلَّذِينَ
wa-alladhīna
and those who
لَا
lā
(do) not
يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ
yaʿlamūna
know
إِنَّمَا
innamā
Only
يَتَذَكَّرُ
yatadhakkaru
will take heed
أُو۟لُوا۟
ulū
those of understanding
ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
l-albābi
those of understanding
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 9) ➊ The meaning of {اَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ اٰنَآءَ الَّيْلِ …: ’’ قَانِتٌ ‘‘} is also worshipper, obedient, and one who is humble and submissive. The word {’’ اَمَّنْ ‘‘} (or that person) indicates that some words are omitted before it, meaning: {’’أَ هٰذَا خَيْرٌ‘‘} (Is the one who calls upon his Lord in distress and forgets Him when a blessing is granted better) {’’ اَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ ‘‘} or the one who worships Allah with prostration and standing not only during the day but also in the hours of the night, and is obedient to Him in every situation? The answer is obvious that this believer (Qanit) is better in every respect.
➋ { يَحْذَرُ الْاٰخِرَةَ وَ يَرْجُوْا رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهٖ :} Faith is between the fear of Allah Almighty and hope in Him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to a young man who was in the throes of death, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: [ كَيْفَ تَجِدُكَ؟ قَالَ وَاللّٰهِ! يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ! إِنِّيْ أَرْجُو اللّٰهَ وَ إِنِّيْ أَخَافُ ذُنُوْبِيْ فَقَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لَا يَجْتَمِعَانِ فِيْ قَلْبِ عَبْدٍ فِيْ مِثْلِ هٰذَا الْمَوْطِنِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللّٰهُ مَا يَرْجُوْ وَ آمَنَهُ مِمَّا يَخَافُ ] [ ترمذي، الجنائز، باب الرجاء باللّٰہ والخوف بالذنب عند الموت : ۹۸۳ ] "How do you find yourself?" He said: "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah! I hope in Allah and I fear my sins." So the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "At such a time, these two things do not combine in the heart of a servant except that Allah grants him what he hopes for and gives him security from what he fears."
➌ {قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ … :} Here, {’’ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ ‘‘} (those who know) refers to those people who worship Allah alone and are obedient to Him at all times, in prosperity and adversity, day and night. And {’’ وَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ ‘‘} (those who do not know) refers to those people who, in hardship and distress, turn away from all other deities and call upon Allah alone, but in prosperity, forget Him and associate partners with Allah. This means that even though they know that all authority belongs only to Allah Almighty, when a blessing is granted, they forget Him and associate partners with Him; therefore, Allah Almighty has declared them as those who do not know. From this, it is understood that a person who does not act upon his knowledge is ignorant ({لَا يَعْلَمُ}), which is why Allah Almighty said: « اِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللّٰهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰٓؤُا » [ فاطر : ۲۸ ] "Only those of His servants fear Allah who have knowledge." Those who do not fear Allah are not considered scholars in the sight of Allah, no matter how many degrees or positions they have, or how many books or libraries they have consumed.
➍ From this verse, the virtue of knowledge and the people of knowledge who act upon it is established. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ لَا حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللّٰهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَهُوَ يَتْلُوْهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَ آنَاءَ النَّهَارِ، وَ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللّٰهُ مَالًا فَهُوَ يُنْفِقُهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ ] [ بخاري، التوحید، باب قول النبي صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم: رجل آتاہ اللّٰہ القرآن… : ۷۵۲۹ ] "Righteous envy is not permitted except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given the Qur'an, so he recites it during the hours of the night and the hours of the day, and a man whom Allah has given abundant wealth, so he spends it during the hours of the night and the hours of the day." Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has quoted two verses regarding the virtue of knowledge in {’’بَابُ فَضْلِ الْعِلْمِ‘‘}, one from Surah Mujadila: «يَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ وَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍ » [ المجادلۃ : ۱۱ ] "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." And the other from Surah Ta-Ha: « وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ زِدْنِيْ عِلْمًا » [ طٰہٰ : ۱۱۴ ] "And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge." The story of Musa and Khidr (peace be upon them) is also evidence of the virtue of knowledge. (See Bukhari: 74)
➎ { اِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ : ’’ الْاَلْبَابِ ‘‘ ’’لُبٌّ‘‘} is the plural of 'Lubb', meaning core, intellect. Because it is plural, it is translated as "those of intellect." By these people of intellect are meant the believers, not the disbelievers, no matter how much they consider themselves to be people of intellect and wisdom, because when they do not use their intellects to take admonition, how can they be considered people of intellect!? Such people have been declared by Allah Almighty as like cattle, rather even more {’’اضل‘‘}. See the commentary of Surah Al-A'raf (179) and Al-Anbiya (46).
➋ { يَحْذَرُ الْاٰخِرَةَ وَ يَرْجُوْا رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهٖ :} Faith is between the fear of Allah Almighty and hope in Him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to a young man who was in the throes of death, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: [ كَيْفَ تَجِدُكَ؟ قَالَ وَاللّٰهِ! يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ! إِنِّيْ أَرْجُو اللّٰهَ وَ إِنِّيْ أَخَافُ ذُنُوْبِيْ فَقَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لَا يَجْتَمِعَانِ فِيْ قَلْبِ عَبْدٍ فِيْ مِثْلِ هٰذَا الْمَوْطِنِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللّٰهُ مَا يَرْجُوْ وَ آمَنَهُ مِمَّا يَخَافُ ] [ ترمذي، الجنائز، باب الرجاء باللّٰہ والخوف بالذنب عند الموت : ۹۸۳ ] "How do you find yourself?" He said: "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah! I hope in Allah and I fear my sins." So the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "At such a time, these two things do not combine in the heart of a servant except that Allah grants him what he hopes for and gives him security from what he fears."
➌ {قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ … :} Here, {’’ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ ‘‘} (those who know) refers to those people who worship Allah alone and are obedient to Him at all times, in prosperity and adversity, day and night. And {’’ وَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ ‘‘} (those who do not know) refers to those people who, in hardship and distress, turn away from all other deities and call upon Allah alone, but in prosperity, forget Him and associate partners with Allah. This means that even though they know that all authority belongs only to Allah Almighty, when a blessing is granted, they forget Him and associate partners with Him; therefore, Allah Almighty has declared them as those who do not know. From this, it is understood that a person who does not act upon his knowledge is ignorant ({لَا يَعْلَمُ}), which is why Allah Almighty said: « اِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللّٰهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰٓؤُا » [ فاطر : ۲۸ ] "Only those of His servants fear Allah who have knowledge." Those who do not fear Allah are not considered scholars in the sight of Allah, no matter how many degrees or positions they have, or how many books or libraries they have consumed.
➍ From this verse, the virtue of knowledge and the people of knowledge who act upon it is established. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ لَا حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللّٰهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَهُوَ يَتْلُوْهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَ آنَاءَ النَّهَارِ، وَ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللّٰهُ مَالًا فَهُوَ يُنْفِقُهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ ] [ بخاري، التوحید، باب قول النبي صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم: رجل آتاہ اللّٰہ القرآن… : ۷۵۲۹ ] "Righteous envy is not permitted except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given the Qur'an, so he recites it during the hours of the night and the hours of the day, and a man whom Allah has given abundant wealth, so he spends it during the hours of the night and the hours of the day." Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has quoted two verses regarding the virtue of knowledge in {’’بَابُ فَضْلِ الْعِلْمِ‘‘}, one from Surah Mujadila: «يَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ وَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍ » [ المجادلۃ : ۱۱ ] "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." And the other from Surah Ta-Ha: « وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ زِدْنِيْ عِلْمًا » [ طٰہٰ : ۱۱۴ ] "And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge." The story of Musa and Khidr (peace be upon them) is also evidence of the virtue of knowledge. (See Bukhari: 74)
➎ { اِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ : ’’ الْاَلْبَابِ ‘‘ ’’لُبٌّ‘‘} is the plural of 'Lubb', meaning core, intellect. Because it is plural, it is translated as "those of intellect." By these people of intellect are meant the believers, not the disbelievers, no matter how much they consider themselves to be people of intellect and wisdom, because when they do not use their intellects to take admonition, how can they be considered people of intellect!? Such people have been declared by Allah Almighty as like cattle, rather even more {’’اضل‘‘}. See the commentary of Surah Al-A'raf (179) and Al-Anbiya (46).
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.
9. 1. And these are the people of faith, not the disbelievers. Even though they consider themselves to be people of intellect and insight. But when they do not use their intellect and understanding to reflect and ponder, nor do they take heed or learn a lesson, then it is as if they are deprived of intellect and understanding like cattle.
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.
Is such a person better, or one who spends the hours of the night in devotion, prostrating and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" [19] Only those with understanding will take heed.
[19]
Who is Considered Learned and Who is Ignorant in the Sight of Allah?
Now, there is this person who calls upon others besides Allah only at the time of distress. And the Quran refers to him as “ignorant or one who does not know,” even if he is a great scholar of the age. And then there is the other person who, in hardship and ease, in all circumstances, relies only on Allah and calls upon Him alone. In the darkness of the night, he prostrates before Him, fears Him, and hopes for His mercy alone. Allah calls such a person “learned or one who knows,” even if he has not even passed primary school or has not read even the basic religious books. And this meaning is also supported by another phrase of the Noble Quran: ﴿إنَّمَا يَخْشَي اللّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰۤؤُا﴾ [35: 38]. Then Allah presents this question before the people of intellect and understanding: Tell me, is the way of life of these two the same, or can their outcomes ever be the same?
[19]
Who is Considered Learned and Who is Ignorant in the Sight of Allah?
Now, there is this person who calls upon others besides Allah only at the time of distress. And the Quran refers to him as “ignorant or one who does not know,” even if he is a great scholar of the age. And then there is the other person who, in hardship and ease, in all circumstances, relies only on Allah and calls upon Him alone. In the darkness of the night, he prostrates before Him, fears Him, and hopes for His mercy alone. Allah calls such a person “learned or one who knows,” even if he has not even passed primary school or has not read even the basic religious books. And this meaning is also supported by another phrase of the Noble Quran: ﴿إنَّمَا يَخْشَي اللّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰۤؤُا﴾ [35: 38]. Then Allah presents this question before the people of intellect and understanding: Tell me, is the way of life of these two the same, or can their outcomes ever be the same?
