سُوْرَةُ الْجِنِّ

Surah Al-Jinn (72) — Ayah 10

The Jinn · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 572

وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِىٓ أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا ﴿10﴾
‘And we know not whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends for them a Right Path.
وَأَنَّا wa-annā And that we
لَا not
نَدْرِىٓ nadrī we know
أَشَرٌّ asharrun whether evil
أُرِيدَ urīda is intended
بِمَن biman for (those) who
فِى (are) in
ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the earth
أَمْ am or
أَرَادَ arāda intends
بِهِمْ bihim for them
رَبُّهُمْ rabbuhum their Lord
رَشَدًۭا rashadan a right path

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 10) {وَ اَنَّا لَا نَدْرِيْۤ اَشَرٌّ اُرِيْدَ … :} Seeing such strict guards, the jinn understood that one of two things must be true: either evil has been intended for the people of the earth, meaning a sudden punishment has been decided for some nation and the news has been guarded so that the nation does not find out beforehand; or Allah Almighty has intended their goodness and guidance, meaning a Messenger has been sent and this arrangement has been made to protect the revelation being sent to him, so that the devils can neither interfere in it nor find out beforehand what is being revealed to the Prophet. When they set out to investigate which of these two matters was true, they heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) reciting the Qur’an and realized that this arrangement was because of this Messenger. In this verse, observe the good manners of this group of jinn: they attributed the intention of guidance to Allah Almighty, but did not attribute the intention of evil to Him.

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.

10. 1. That is, the purpose of this heavenly protection is to either bring to completion any evil plan for the people of the earth, meaning to send down punishment upon them, or to intend good, meaning to send a Messenger.

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 that we do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends for them guidance.

[8] That is, we have come to know the purpose and intent behind such strict guarding of the heavens. As for whether people, by believing in this Quran, become deserving of Allah’s favors and honors, or by denying it, become deserving of Allah’s punishment—there is now no means left for us to find this out.