Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
If their aversion (from you, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and from that with which you have been sent) is hard on you, (and you cannot be patient of their harm to you), then if you were able to seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder to the sky, so that you may bring them a sign (and you cannot do it, so be patient). And had Allâh willed, He could have gathered them together (all) on true guidance, so be not you one of those who are Al-Jâhilûn (the ignorant).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِنwa-inAnd if
كَانَkānais
كَبُرَkaburadifficult
عَلَيْكَʿalaykafor you
إِعْرَاضُهُمْiʿ'rāḍuhumtheir aversion
فَإِنِfa-inithen if
ٱسْتَطَعْتَis'taṭaʿtayou are able
أَنanto
تَبْتَغِىَtabtaghiyaseek
نَفَقًۭاnafaqana tunnel
فِىfīin
ٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe earth
أَوْawor
سُلَّمًۭاsullamana ladder
فِىfīinto
ٱلسَّمَآءِl-samāithe sky
فَتَأْتِيَهُمfatatiyahumso that you bring to them
بِـَٔايَةٍۢ ۚbiāyatina Sign
وَلَوْwalawBut if
شَآءَshāa(had) willed
ٱللَّهُl-lahuAllah
لَجَمَعَهُمْlajamaʿahumsurely He (would) have gathered them
عَلَىʿalāon
ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۚl-hudāthe guidance
فَلَاfalāSo (do) not
تَكُونَنَّtakūnannabe
مِنَminaof
ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَl-jāhilīnathe ignorant
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 35) ➊ {وَاِنْكَانَكَبُرَعَلَيْكَاِعْرَاضُهُمْ …:} Regarding the pain and heartbreak that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) experienced due to the rejection of the disbelievers, Allah Almighty is saying that if their indifference is weighing too heavily upon you, then if you can, by digging a tunnel in the earth or by climbing up to the sky by means of a ladder, bring some miracle to persuade these people to accept Islam, then go ahead and try to do so. But since this is not possible for you, what is the benefit of being grieved? It is better to leave the outcome to Us and continue your work of invitation with complete satisfaction and tranquility. For the kinds of miracles the disbelievers demanded, see Surah Bani Isra'il (90 to 97).
➋ {وَلَوْشَآءَاللّٰهُلَجَمَعَهُمْ … :} That is, do not think that by bringing any sign (miracle) they will surely come to the path of guidance, because guidance depends entirely on the will of Allah Almighty; your responsibility is only to convey the message. Keep this reality in mind and never grieve or feel regret over these people not believing. If it had been Allah Almighty's wisdom that all people should believe, this would not have been difficult for Him; He only had to say {’’ كُنْ‘‘} and all people would have believed and gathered upon guidance. See Yunus (99). But doing so would be against His will and wisdom, which apparently is that by doing so, the process of testing through granting choice would come to an end. In any case, He alone knows the true wisdom and benefit of His actions, so do not let such thoughts find a place in your heart, but rather, find comfort by having faith in Allah Almighty's will, decree, and wisdom.
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.
35. 1. The burden and hardship that the Prophet ﷺ experienced due to the denial (rejection) by the opponents and disbelievers is being addressed here by Allah, stating that this was destined to happen by Allah’s will and decree, and without Allah’s command, you cannot persuade them to accept Islam. Even if you were to dig a tunnel or set up a ladder to the sky and bring them a sign, firstly, it is impossible for you to do so, and even if, hypothetically, you were to do it, they still would not believe. Because their not believing is under Allah’s wisdom and will, the full scope of which human intellect and understanding cannot grasp. However, one apparent wisdom in this is that Allah is testing them by granting them freedom of choice and will; otherwise, it would not be difficult for Allah to set all humans on the path of guidance. For Him, this could be done in the blink of an eye with the word “Kun.” 35. 2. That is, do not grieve or be overly saddened by their disbelief, because it is related to Allah’s will and decree, so leave it to Allah; He knows best the wisdom and benefit in it.
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.
35. And if their turning away is hard on you, then if you are able to seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder to the sky to bring them a sign [39], then do so. And if Allah had willed, He could have gathered them all to guidance (but this is not His will). So do not be among the ignorant [40].
[39] The Disbelievers’ Demand for a Tangible Miracle and Your Wish:
A long period passed while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued to preach and endure the hardships from the disbelievers, yet the majority of the disbelievers persisted in their denial. This caused him to feel great distress. Occasionally, you ﷺ would think that if Allah were to show these disbelievers a tangible miracle, perhaps they would believe. Allah gave the answer to this desire: it is not Our way to compel people to believe by showing a tangible miracle. However, if you so wish, then try with your own effort—if you can dig a tunnel in the earth or set up a ladder to the sky to bring them the miracle they demand, then do so, but this is against My will. And if Allah had willed, He could have made them believe even without a miracle, and He has full power to gather all people upon faith. But this would defeat the very purpose for which mankind was sent into this world with intellect, willpower, and choice, for the sake of trial.
[40] That is, to think or plan against Allah’s will is foolishness, because Allah’s will is bound to prevail, and the one who thinks otherwise will gain nothing but defeat and regret.