Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 117
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ { وَ اِنْ يَّدْعُوْنَ …:} In this verse, Allah has explained shirk (associating partners with Him) as calling upon anyone other than Allah, because the essence of worship is supplication, as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ اَلدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ ] "Supplication is worship itself." [ ترمذی، الدعوات، باب منہ [ الدعاء مخ العبادۃ ]: 3372. Abu Dawood: 1479] And see Surah Al-Mu’min (60). Whoever calls upon anyone other than Allah for unseen help is a polytheist, because worship is nothing but this supplication. In fact, all forms of worship—standing, bowing, prostration, vows and offerings, and supplication, etc.—their real purpose is to ask someone, considering them the owner of unseen powers. If someone does this with Allah, he asks from Him; if he does it with others, he asks from them.
➌ { شَيْطٰنًا مَّرِيْدًا:} Those who worship idols, angels, goddesses, and other beings, in reality, no matter whom they think they are worshipping, they are actually worshipping the rebellious Satan, because it is Satan who diverts them from the door of Allah and makes them bow at the thresholds and doorsteps of others, as mentioned in the next verse. Those whom they worship have no idea that anyone is calling upon them. See Surah Al-Ahqaf (5, 6) and Yunus (28, 29). These people are only worshipping beings created by their own imagination at the suggestion of Satan. See Surah An-Najm (23) and Yunus (66).
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.
117. 2 The worship of idols, angels, and other entities is, in reality, the worship of Satan. Because it is Satan who diverts humans from the court of Allah and makes them bow at the thresholds and doorsteps of others, as mentioned in the next verse.
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.
[155]
All Types of Shirk Are Found Among the Polytheists:
There are three main types of shirk, and all three are mentioned in this sentence, for example:
(1) Shirk in the Essence. In this regard, the polytheists considered their goddesses to be the wives and daughters of Allah, and this is evident from the names of these goddesses, such as Lat from Ilah and Uzza from Aziz, etc.
(2) Shirk in the Attributes. It is an attribute of Allah that wherever anyone calls upon Him, He hears their plea, and the polytheists also believed that their goddesses heard their pleas.
(3) Shirk in Worship. According to the explicit statement of the Quran, to call upon anyone with the belief that they can hear one’s plea and remove one’s difficulty or benefit them is, in itself, worship, and the polytheists, holding such a belief, used to call upon their goddesses, and this is clear shirk. They also performed all the rituals of worship before their goddesses that are only worthy of Allah.
[156]
Iblis’s Claim to Misguide Mankind:
Calling upon Satan in this sense means that all the ways of shirk that have been suggested to mankind have been suggested by Satan himself. Thus, holding such a belief and calling upon anyone is also a satanic call and is tantamount to calling upon Satan, even though all people, considering Satan to be a rebel and disobedient to Allah, outwardly curse him.
