سُوْرَةُ الشُّوْرٰي

Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 6

Consultation · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 483

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ ﴿6﴾
And as for those who take as Auliyâ’ (guardians, supporters, helpers, lords, gods, protectors) others besides Him [i.e. they take false deities other than Allâh as protectors, and they worship them] - Allâh is Hafîz (Protector, Watcher) over them (i.e. takes care of their deeds and will recompense them), and you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) are not a Wakîl (guardian or a disposer of their affairs) over them (to protect their deeds).
وَٱلَّذِينَ wa-alladhīna And those who
ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ ittakhadhū take
مِن min besides
دُونِهِۦٓ dūnihi besides
أَوْلِيَآءَ awliyāa protectors
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
حَفِيظٌ ḥafīẓun (is) a Guardian
عَلَيْهِمْ ʿalayhim over them
وَمَآ wamā and not
أَنتَ anta you
عَلَيْهِم ʿalayhim (are) over them
بِوَكِيلٍۢ biwakīlin a manager

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 6) ➊ { وَ الَّذِيْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اَوْلِيَآءَ اللّٰهُ …:} In this sentence, there is a very severe rebuke and warning for the polytheists that the Allah mentioned in the previous verses, who is Mighty and Wise, Exalted and Great, at whose awe the heavens are about to burst, and whose praise and glorification all the angels do, those people who, besides this Allah, have made any kind of guardians, who in their opinion fulfill their needs and wishes in supernatural ways and help and assist them, Allah Almighty is watching each and every action of theirs, all of it is preserved with Him, and very soon He will give them their recompense.

{ وَ مَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِوَكِيْلٍ: ’’ مَا‘‘} The emphasis of negation is being done with the باء of {’’ بِوَكِيْلٍ ‘‘}, and the tanween of {’’ بِوَكِيْلٍ ‘‘} is for indefiniteness, that is why the translation is "so you are by no means responsible for them." {’’ وَكَلَ يَكِلُ‘‘} (ض) to entrust. {’’وَكِيْلٌ‘‘} The one to whom a task is entrusted, responsible, that is, the supervision of these disbelievers and polytheists and the recompense of their deeds is the work of Allah Almighty; you are not responsible for guiding them. Therefore, you do not need to be overly worried or saddened, as He said: « اِنَّمَاۤ اَنْتَ نَذِيْرٌ وَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَّكِيْلٌ » [ ھود : ۱۲ ] "So you are only a warner, and Allah is a guardian over all things." See also Surah Yunus (99, 100) and Surah Al-An'am (35).

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.

6. 1 That is, He is preserving their deeds so that He may reward them for it.

6. 2 That is, you are not responsible for putting them on the path of guidance or holding them accountable for their sins; rather, these tasks are Ours. Your duty is to convey the message.

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.

6. And those who have taken protectors [4] besides Allah—Allah is watching over them, and you are not responsible for them.

[4]
The Various Meanings of Wali:

The word "Wali" is very comprehensive and has a broad meaning. For example, benefactor, friend, supporter, helper, and guardian are all included in its meaning. Its general meaning is a person who comes to help someone at the time of death, calamity, or severe distress, or who is the primary heir to his inheritance. And apart from father and son, this can also be any other person. The polytheists used to consider—and still consider—their idols and deities as such, believing that they come to their aid in every difficulty and have the power to fulfill their needs, and also that on the Day of Judgment, they can be saved from Allah’s punishment through their intercession. Allah does give such polytheists respite, but do not think that they will always be saved. All these people are under Allah’s watch. Therefore, do not worry about why they do not believe, or why they are not destroyed if they do not believe. These matters are not your responsibility. When the time comes, Allah Himself will deal with them.