Surah Al-Ahqaf (46) — Ayah 17
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.
In the previous verse, there was mention of the fortunate and obedient believing children who treat their parents well and their good end; in this verse, in contrast, there is mention of the wretched and disobedient children and their bad end, whose parents are believers and are trying that their children accept faith, but their children, expressing extreme annoyance at this invitation, say to them, {’’اُف‘‘} to both of you, you have made me fed up. In Makkah, there were many families in which the parents had accepted faith but the children were polytheists and deniers of the Resurrection, or the children had accepted faith and the parents were polytheists.
➋ { اَتَعِدٰنِنِيْۤ اَنْ اُخْرَجَ وَ قَدْ خَلَتِ الْقُرُوْنُ مِنْ قَبْلِيْ:} Are you warning me that I will be brought out alive from the grave again when I have become dust and bones? Whereas generations have passed before me, and no one has returned till today. Here, the answer to this wretched person's statement is not mentioned, because in many places in the Qur'an, its answer has already been given.
➌ {وَ هُمَا يَسْتَغِيْثٰنِ اللّٰهَ:} And both of them cry out for help to seek refuge from the evil of his such insolent and blasphemous statement, saying, O Allah! Save us from his evil and guide him.
➍ The word { وَيْلَكَ اٰمِنْ اِنَّ وَعْدَ اللّٰهِ حَقٌّ:’’ وَيْلَكَ ‘‘}, although it is a curse, sometimes it is used to express extreme love, affection, and pain, like {’’ ثَكِلَتْكَ الثَّوَاكِلُ‘‘} (may your mother be bereaved of you). That is, the parents, while explaining to him, say, may you be ruined, accept faith and do not deny the Hereafter, because Allah's promise is true, but he rebuffs them with extreme hatred.
➎ { فَيَقُوْلُ مَا هٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسَاطِيْرُ الْاَوَّلِيْنَ:} For details, see Surah Al-Anfal (31), Al-Mu’minun (83), and An-Naml (68).
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.
17. 2 The meaning is that they have not come back to life in this world again. Whereas, the meaning of being brought back to life is to be resurrected on the Day of Judgment, after which there will be reckoning.
17. 3 If the parents are Muslim and the offspring are disbelievers, then there, too, arguments and debates occur between the offspring and the parents, an example of which is mentioned in this 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.
[26] This is not a specific character. Rather, there were such examples present in Makkah as well. Some people themselves were polytheists and their children became Muslims, and some elderly people themselves were Muslims but their young and arrogant children were polytheists and deniers of the Hereafter. In this verse, in accordance with the saying "the words are spoken about others," a conversation from such a household is being presented. The polytheist son's argument is the same old and worn-out reasoning that deniers of the Hereafter usually give in response: that for a thousand years people have been dying, but no one has ever come back to life. So what kind of threat are you giving me? The answer to this question has been left out here, because in most places in the Quran, its answer has already been given.
[27]
If the Belief in the Hereafter is Old, Then Its Answer is Just as Old a Tale:
People in the past also used to say such things, but since no one has ever come back to life after dying, how can we accept their statement as true? These are nothing but old tales. But he does not remember that if these are old tales, then his response is also the same old tale that the deniers of the Hereafter have always given.
