سُوْرَةُ الشُّوْرٰي

Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 47

Consultation · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 488

ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَإٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ ﴿47﴾
Answer the Call of your Lord (i.e. accept the Islâmic Monotheism, O mankind, and jinn) before there comes from Allâh a Day which cannot be averted (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded in the Book of your deeds).
ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ is'tajībū Respond
لِرَبِّكُم lirabbikum to your Lord
مِّن min before
قَبْلِ qabli before
أَن an [that]
يَأْتِىَ yatiya comes
يَوْمٌۭ yawmun a Day
لَّا (there is) no
مَرَدَّ maradda averting
لَهُۥ lahu for it
مِنَ mina from
ٱللَّهِ ۚ l-lahi Allah
مَا Not
لَكُم lakum (is) for you
مِّن min any
مَّلْجَإٍۢ malja-in refuge
يَوْمَئِذٍۢ yawma-idhin (on) that Day
وَمَا wamā and not
لَكُم lakum for you
مِّن min any
نَّكِيرٍۢ nakīrin denial

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 47) ➊ {اِسْتَجِيْبُوْا لِرَبِّكُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلِ … : ’’ مَرَدَّ ‘‘ ’’رَدَّ يَرُدُّ رَدًّا‘‘ } can be a verbal noun (masdar mimi), an adverb of time, or an adverb of place—meaning a way, a time, or a place for removal or deferral. In this sentence, Allah has emphasized accepting His call as soon as possible in several ways. First, by using the word {’’ اِسْتَجِيْبُوْا ‘‘} instead of {’’ أَجِيْبُوْا ‘‘}. For details, see the commentary of verse (38) of this surah. Then, by reminding of His Lordship’s favor, and finally, by warning of that Day after whose arrival there will be no way, time, or place for it to be deferred or removed.

{ لَا مَرَدَّ لَهٗ مِنَ اللّٰهِ:} has two meanings: one is that after its arrival, there is no way from Allah for it to be removed, meaning Allah will not remove it in any way. The second is that after its arrival from Allah, there is no being who can remove it.

➌ If {وَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ: ’’ نَكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is a verbal noun, its meaning is denial, and also being unknown (strange and unrecognized). And if {’’فَعِيْلٌ‘‘} is in the meaning of an active participle, i.e., {’’ مُنْكِرٌ ‘‘}, then the meaning is “one who changes.” That is, on the Day of Resurrection, you will not be able to express disapproval your crimes in any way; rather, due to the record of deeds, the testimonies of the angels, and even the testimony of your own limbs, you will have no room for denial. One meaning of {’’ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is also that you will not be able to protest against the punishment given to you, nor deny it by saying, “We do not accept this punishment,” nor will you or anyone else be a changer of the state in which you are afflicted, nor will it happen that you remain unrecognized and escape by being a stranger or hide by disguising yourself.

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.

47. 1. That is, no one will have the power to prevent or avert it.

47. 2. That is, there will be no such place for you where you can hide and pretend to be unknown, or where you cannot be reached or seen, as it is said: "On that Day, man will say, 'Where is the place of escape?' Never! There is no refuge. That Day, the final return will be to your Lord." (75:10-12)

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.

Respond to the command of your Lord before a Day comes from Allah for which there is no turning back [66]. On that Day, you will have no refuge, nor will you be able to express disapproval [67].

[66] That is, in the world, punishment was averted from them and they were given respite. But on that day, there will be no such possibility, and its second meaning is that no one will have the courage to avert the punishment that Allah has decreed for them.

[67]
The Various Meanings of "Nakir":

The root of "Nakir" is "Nakr," and it fundamentally contains two aspects: (1) foreignness, (2) unpleasantness (the opposite of "Nakirah" is "Ma'rifah"). "Nakr" means unpleasant, indecent, and unreasonable thing, and "Nakir" means something unpleasant, indecent, unreasonable, and also to frown or express displeasure upon seeing such a thing. "Nakr" also means to distort something and to change its form. In this regard, several meanings of this sentence can be derived. One is clear from the translation. The second meaning is that you will not be strangers; everyone will know and recognize you. The third meaning is that you will not be able to hide by changing your appearance. The fourth meaning is that whatever state you are in on that day, you will not be able to change it.