Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
But if they are too proud[3] (to do so), then there are those who are with your Lord (angels) glorify Him night and day, and never are they tired.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَإِنِfa-iniBut if
ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟is'takbarūthey are arrogant
فَٱلَّذِينَfa-alladhīnathen those who
عِندَʿinda(are) near
رَبِّكَrabbikayour Lord
يُسَبِّحُونَyusabbiḥūnaglorify
لَهُۥlahuHim
بِٱلَّيْلِbi-al-layliby night
وَٱلنَّهَارِwal-nahāriand day
وَهُمْwahumAnd they
لَاlā(do) not
يَسْـَٔمُونَ ۩yasamūnatire
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 38) ➊ {فَاِنِاسْتَكْبَرُوْا:} "Then if they are arrogant"—that is, even after hearing all this, if they consider abandoning their own stance to be humiliation, persist in prostrating to the sun, moon, and creation, and due to their false honor and pride, continue to insist on ignorance and polytheism.
➋ That is, if the polytheists have become so arrogant and proud that they consider prostrating to Allah alone to be beneath their dignity, then let them think so; Allah Almighty is not in need of them. His greatness is such that the closest angels who are with Him, who carry His Throne, or stand humbly around or beneath the Throne (see Al-Mu’min: 7), through whom the affairs of the entire universe are managed, all glorify Him day and night, that is, they bear witness and proclaim that their Master is free from any partner in His Lordship or in being the only true deity. See also Surah Al-Anbiya (19, 20) and Surah Al-A’raf (206). Now, if a few fools do not understand even after being explained, and reject the testimony of the entire universe, persisting in their false notions of honor and greatness, they will only harm themselves; they will not harm Allah Almighty in the least. In this, there is also consolation for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
➌ Those who deny the Divine Throne and do not accept that Allah Almighty is separate from the universe and above all, and say that Allah Almighty is neither above nor below, neither inside the universe nor outside it, make strange interpretations of the word {’’ فَالَّذِيْنَعِنْدَرَبِّكَ ‘‘} (those angels who are with your Lord). Sometimes they say it means that they have a high status and rank with the Lord Almighty, sometimes they say something else, but the explicit words about the angels carrying the Throne of the Most Merciful shatter all such interpretations. For details, see Surah Al-Mu’min (7) and Surah Al-Haqqah (17).
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous 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.
Then if they become arrogant, those who are with your Lord glorify Him night and day, and they never grow weary.
[47] Angels Who Remain Engaged in the Glorification of Allah at All Times:
If they persist in their polytheism and ignorance and consider it an insult to themselves to accept your words, then they are only preparing their own destruction, because Allah is independent of their obedience or disobedience, and with Him is a great multitude of angels who, by His command, are carrying out the management of the affairs of the universe. They do not have the audacity to disobey Allah’s command. They do only what they are commanded to do. Besides this, they are also constantly engaged in His glorification and praise; this is their sustenance and this is their purpose of existence. By their words and actions, they bear witness that the Creator and Owner of every single thing in the universe is only Allah Almighty. Then, if these people, despite these realities, persist in associating partners with Allah, their ignorance cannot change the facts.