Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) — Ayah 86
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 There are two interpretations of this verse, both can be intended, and this is the miracle of the Quran. The first is that those beings whom the polytheists call upon thinking that they will intercede for them have no authority for intercession, except those who have borne witness to the word of truth, that is, “La ilaha illallah,” and not just verbally but also with conviction, such as the angels, Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام, and other close servants of Allah. Since they bear witness to the truth (Tawheed) with certainty and have never commanded people to worship them, they will be able to intercede by Allah’s permission. As for idols and other false helpers and fulfillers of needs whom the polytheists worship, they will not even be able to save themselves but will become fuel for Hell; how could they intercede for anyone? The second interpretation is that before {’’ مَنْ شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ ‘‘}, the preposition “lam” is omitted: {’’أَيْ إِلَّا لِمَنْ شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ‘‘}, meaning that intercession will be permitted only for those for whom the testimony of truth, that is, the word “La ilaha illallah,” has been borne, and not just verbally but also with proper knowledge and conviction. As for the disbelievers or hypocrites, no one will intercede for them. For further details on intercession, see Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Maryam (87), Al-Anbiya (28), Saba (23), Najm (26), and Surah Naba (38).
➌ From this verse, it is also understood that only that testimony is valid which is given with knowledge. In the world, although every person who verbally bears witness to the word “La ilaha illallah” is considered a Muslim, on the Day of Judgment, only that testimony will be valid which is given with conviction of the heart.
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.
86. 2. By "the truth" is meant the word of Tawheed, La ilaha illallah, and this declaration should also be based on knowledge and insight, not merely formal and imitative—that is, the one who utters the word of Tawheed with his tongue should know that it affirms only one Allah and negates all other deities.
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.
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How Will Permission for Intercession Be Granted and For Whom Will It Be?
That is, those beings whom people had declared as deities, even though they were witnesses to the truth with insight and were its standard-bearers, will be able to intercede. For example, Sayyiduna ‘Isa ؑ, Sayyiduna ‘Uzair ؑ, angels, or those pious individuals whom people had given the status of divinity, but who themselves spent their entire lives forbidding shirk and became standard-bearers of the word of truth, i.e., tawheed—such people will be granted permission by Allah to intercede. However, not for those who had made them deities, but only for those sinners who had testified to the word of truth, i.e., tawheed, with knowledge and certainty, and who had committed some sins. Incidentally, from this it is also understood that only that testimony is valid which is based on knowledge and certainty. And the polytheists who testify to the divinity of their deities—their testimony is neither based on knowledge (i.e., transmitted evidence) nor on certainty, but rather on conjecture and assumption. Therefore, their testimony regarding their deities is rejected, not accepted. In this world, they give such testimony, but in the Hereafter, such testimony will not be accepted.
