سُوْرَةُ الْمُلْكِ

Surah Al-Mulk (67) — Ayah 21

The Sovereignty · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 563

أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ ﴿21﴾
Who is he that can provide for you if He should withhold His provision? Nay, but they continue to be in pride, and (they) flee (from the truth).
أَمَّنْ amman Who is
هَـٰذَا hādhā this
ٱلَّذِى alladhī the one
يَرْزُقُكُمْ yarzuqukum to provide you
إِنْ in if
أَمْسَكَ amsaka He withheld
رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ riz'qahu His provision
بَل bal Nay
لَّجُّوا۟ lajjū they persist
فِى in
عُتُوٍّۢ ʿutuwwin pride
وَنُفُورٍ wanufūrin and aversion

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 21){ اَمَّنْ هٰذَا الَّذِيْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ اِنْ اَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهٗ … :} That is, if Allah Almighty withholds rain, then who is there that can send down rain? Or if He withholds the earth’s produce or stops your sustenance in any way, then who is there that can provide for you? In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated from Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Quraysh of Makkah exceeded all limits in disobedience against the Prophet (peace be upon him), he invoked against them a drought like that of Yusuf (peace be upon him), so such a famine struck them that they were forced to eat bones. In summary, that famine was only removed when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah Almighty for them. [ دیکھیے بخاری، التفسیر، باب : «یغشی الناس ھذا عذاب ألیم» : ۴۸۲۱ ] The idols of Lat and Manat, and even the idols of Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) that they had made, could not benefit them in any way.

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.

21. 1. That is, Allah may not send down rain, or the earth may withhold its produce, or the ready crops may be destroyed, as sometimes He does, due to which your food supply may be cut off. If Allah does this, is there anyone else who, contrary to Allah’s will, can provide you with sustenance? That is, these words of admonition and advice have no effect on them; rather, they continue to increase in rebellion against the truth and in aversion and turning away. They neither take heed nor do they reflect.

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.

21. Or who is it that can provide for you if He withholds His provision [23]? But they persist in arrogance and aversion [24].

[23] The greatest source of sustenance is the rain that descends from the sky. It is only after the rain falls that vegetation grows from the earth, which becomes the source of sustenance for all living creatures. Now observe that all the causes of this rain are under the control of Allah Almighty. If Allah Almighty does not send rain for a long period, then who besides Allah has the power to send down rain? There are indeed many signs to understand the powers of Allah, but if these disbelievers have resolved to persist in denial and chosen the path of rebellion, then how can they take heed from these matters?
[24] ﴿لجَّ﴾ means to argue out of stubbornness, to persist in enmity, and ﴿لُجّة﴾ means the depth of water, the deepest part where the water is the deepest. Thus, the meaning of this word is both to persist in something due to stubbornness and to go far in some evil deed.