Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Does man think that he will be left neglected (without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord Allâh on him)?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَيَحْسَبُayaḥsabuDoes think
ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُl-insānuman
أَنanthat
يُتْرَكَyut'rakahe will be left
سُدًىsudanneglected
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 36 to 40) ➊ {اَيَحْسَبُالْاِنْسَانُاَنْيُّتْرَكَسُدًى … : ’’ سُدًى ‘‘} Those camels that are left untied are called {’’إِبِلٌسُدًي‘‘}, meaning left free, about which no one asks. {’’ يُمْنٰى ‘‘ ’’أَمْنٰييُمْنِيْ‘‘} is the passive imperfect tense from (افعال), meaning it is dropped, it is made to fall.
➋ The deniers of resurrection and gathering considered it impossible that decayed bones would be brought back to life and held accountable. In these verses, Allah Almighty has presented the argument for resurrecting man and taking account from him: Does man think that he will be left without being questioned? No, this is a wrong notion. The All-Powerful, who turned a drop of something as thin as water into a clot of blood in the mother's womb, then completed it into flesh, bones, and all organs, and after breathing the soul into it, made it a living human being in the form of a man or a woman—so how can it be difficult for Him to bring its dust back to its original form again?
Besides this, if man reflects on his origin, he was a lowly drop that was dropped from the organs of the father into the organs of the mother, whose names are not even mentioned out of modesty and shame. Then, after passing through various stages and being fully formed, he was brought back through the same path, the mention of which itself is a cause for modesty. Now, is it befitting for man to show arrogance before his Creator, to walk with pride, and to think that there is no one to question him?
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.
36. 1. That is, he will not be commanded regarding anything, nor will he be forbidden from anything, nor will he be held accountable. Or he will be left in his grave forever, and he will not be resurrected from there.
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.
36. Does man think [20] that he will be left neglected, without purpose?
[20] That is, Allah has granted man countless abilities which have not been given to other living beings. Therefore, the person who thinks that just as other living beings are born and die and have no kind of responsibility, the same is the case with humans—such thinking is extremely foolish and unwise. What need did Allah have to distinguish man from other living beings? In fact, the next question is: if human life is also considered as irresponsible as that of other living beings, then what was the need to create man at all?