Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Do their minds command them this [i.e. to tell a lie against you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)] or are they people transgressing all bounds?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَمْamOr
تَأْمُرُهُمْtamuruhumcommand them
أَحْلَـٰمُهُمaḥlāmuhumtheir minds
بِهَـٰذَآ ۚbihādhāthis
أَمْamor
هُمْhumthey
قَوْمٌۭqawmun(are) a people
طَاغُونَṭāghūnatransgressing
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.
➊ {اَمْتَاْمُرُهُمْاَحْلَامُهُمْبِهٰذَاۤ … : ’’ أَحْلَامٌ ‘‘ ’’حِلْمٌ‘‘} is the plural of {’’حلم‘‘}, which actually refers to self-control at the time of anger. The intellect is called {’’حلم‘‘} because at such a time, it alone becomes the cause of restraining one's temperament. The polytheists used to consider themselves very intelligent; Allah Almighty mentioned three things they said about the Prophet (peace be upon him): soothsayer, madman, and poet. Then He struck at their intellects, asking: can any intelligent person say such a thing? Firstly, the entire life of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the Qur'an he brought are before everyone; no person whose intellect is sound can say any of these things about you or about the Qur'an, because neither the Noble Qur'an nor the Noble Messenger (peace be upon him) has any connection with soothsaying, madness, or poetry. Secondly, the things they are saying about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) are so mutually contradictory that they cannot be combined in one person. How can it be that someone is a poet, a soothsayer, and then also insane, and the speech he presents is poetry, soothsaying, and madness all at once? Then what kind of intelligence is it that you become so severely afraid of a poet, soothsayer, or madman that you do not let anyone listen to him? Has any poet, soothsayer, or madman ever faced such severe opposition as these people are showing to you (peace be upon him)? He asks: do their intellects command them to do this? The answer is not mentioned, because it is self-evident that what they are saying is not the decision of their intellects, but the matter is something else, and that is that in reality, these are rebellious people and their rebellion does not let them accept the truth.
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.
32. 1. That is, regarding the absurd lies and false statements these people keep uttering about you, is it their intellects that suggest these things to them?
32. 2. No, rather these are rebellious and misguided people, and it is this rebellion and misguidance that incites them to such statements.
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.
32. Is it their intellects that command them to say such things [25], or are they simply rebellious people?
[25] The True State of the Quraysh of Makkah:
Your entire life’s pure character and conduct are before their eyes. Therefore, whatever accusations they are making against youﷺ, their own intellects refuse to accept such things. Indeed, the chiefs of Quraysh have, on numerous occasions in their private gatherings, admitted that youﷺ are neither a poet, nor a soothsayer, nor a magician, nor insane. They also inwardly acknowledge that youﷺ are truly Allah’s Messenger and that the Quran is truly the Word of Allah, but if they were to admit this, it would be their own ruin. Their leadership would come to an end, and they would have to live as obedient followers of the Messenger, and these things were not acceptable to them at any cost. Therefore, in accordance with the saying “an evil nature finds many excuses,” they hurled all sorts of accusations at you and called you by such unreasonable titles. Then, it is also worth considering that they have never opposed any poet, soothsayer, magician, or insane person in this way as they are opposing you. Nor have they ever imposed such restrictions on listening to the words of any poet, soothsayer, magician, or insane person as they have imposed on the recitation, listening, and loud reading of the Quran. Why do they not feel such a threat from any poet, soothsayer, magician, or insane person as they feel from youﷺ? All these things are conclusive proof that they have come to know in their hearts that you are truly Allah’s Messenger and the Quran is Allah’s Word. Their intellects judge correctly, but their rebellious natures are preventing them from coming to the path of truth.