Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And even if We had sent down unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْwalawAnd (even) if
نَزَّلْنَاnazzalnāWe (had) sent down
عَلَيْكَʿalaykato you
كِتَـٰبًۭاkitābana written Scripture
فِىfīin
قِرْطَاسٍۢqir'ṭāsina parchment
فَلَمَسُوهُfalamasūhuand they touched it
بِأَيْدِيهِمْbi-aydīhimwith their hands
لَقَالَlaqālasurely (would) have said
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose who
كَفَرُوٓا۟kafarūdisbelieved
إِنْinNot
هَـٰذَآhādhā(is) this
إِلَّاillābut
سِحْرٌۭsiḥ'runmagic
مُّبِينٌۭmubīnunclear
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 7) {وَلَوْنَزَّلْنَاعَلَيْكَكِتٰبًا …:} Now mention is made of those people who used to reject the miracles of the prophets by giving some twisted interpretations. (Razi) In this verse, one of the demands presented by the disbelievers of Makkah to deny the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is answered (Bani Isra'il: 93): "We will not believe in your ascension to the sky until you bring down to us a book that we can read ourselves." These people are so firm in their rebellious and disbelieving ways that even if We had sent down to them a written book from the sky, which they could touch with their own hands and clearly realize that it is not some imaginary or illusionary thing, but a reality, even then they would have called it clear magic. So, if these unfortunate ones call the Qur'an magic, what is surprising about that? (Qurtubi) Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "For the one who is not destined for guidance, his doubts are never removed." (Muwaddih) See also Surah Al-Hijr (14, 15) and At-Tur (44).
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.
7. 1. This is an expression of their stubbornness, denial, and arrogance that even after such a clear divine writing, they will not be ready to accept it and will declare it a magical trick. As it is stated in another place in the Quran: ولو فتحنا علیہم بابا من السماء فظلو فیہ یعرجون لقالوا انما سکرت ابصارنا بل نحن قوم مسحورون (الحجر) If We opened for them a gate from the sky and they kept ascending through it, they would surely say, "Our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we are a people affected by magic." (وَاِنْيَّرَوْاكِسْفًامِّنَالسَّمَاۗءِسَاقِـطًايَّقُوْلُوْاسَحَابٌمَّرْكُوْمٌ) 52:44 And if they were to see a piece falling from the sky, they would say, "It is just piled-up clouds." That is, they would interpret the divine punishment in some way so that they would not have to accept the will of Allah in it, whereas whatever happens in the universe happens by His will.
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.
And if We had sent down to you a book written on paper, and they touched it with their own hands [7], those who disbelieved would still say, "This is nothing but clear magic."
[7] The Objections of the Disbelievers and Their Answers:
This is the answer to an objection of the disbelievers of Makkah, who used to say that they would only believe when a book is revealed to Muhammad ﷺ before them, and along with it, four angels should also be present to testify that this is indeed a book revealed from Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty gave this answer: these disbelievers are so stubborn that even if We fulfill their demand, and they touch the book and see that it is not just an illusion but a reality, even then they would say that all of this is magic and you are a magician.
