Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
كَذَٰلِكَkadhālikaLikewise
مَآmānot
أَتَىatācame
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīna(to) those
مِنminbefore them
قَبْلِهِمqablihimbefore them
مِّنminany
رَّسُولٍrasūlinMessenger
إِلَّاillābut
قَالُوا۟qālūthey said
سَاحِرٌsāḥirunA magician
أَوْawor
مَجْنُونٌmajnūnuna madman
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 52) {كَذٰلِكَمَاۤاَتَىالَّذِيْنَمِنْقَبْلِهِمْمِّنْرَّسُوْلٍ … :} Allah Almighty, comforting His Prophet (peace be upon him), said that this matter has not occurred only with you, that upon hearing the call to monotheism and the Hereafter, you have been denied and called a sorcerer or a madman. Rather, whenever a messenger came to any nation before you, the ignorant among them said the same—that he is a sorcerer or a madman. Whenever they were left speechless before miracles, they would deny them by calling them magic; when they saw the immense impact of the Messenger’s words, they would call him a sorcerer and try to keep people away from him; and when they saw that a single person was speaking about monotheism and the Hereafter against the entire nation, caring neither for any worldly benefit nor for the opposition, mockery, and torment of the whole nation, yet not abandoning his call, they would declare him mad.
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.
52. Similarly, no messenger came to those before them but they said, "A sorcerer or a madman [45]."
[45] Every Prophet Has Been Called a Magician and a Madman:
That is, the titles of magician and madman that have been given to you by the disbelievers of Makkah—you are not unique in receiving these titles. Rather, previous nations also bestowed these same titles upon their respective messengers. The disbelievers called the messengers magicians because, sometimes at the demand of the disbelievers and sometimes without any demand, such events would occur through these prophets that were extraordinary, which are also called miracles. And they called them madmen because the message that the prophet presented was contrary to the temperament and beliefs of the entire nation, and by presenting this message, the messenger would invite the opposition of the whole nation. And this, in the eyes of those people, was madness.