سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ
Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 74
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿74﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَا
falā
So (do) not
تَضْرِبُوا۟
taḍribū
put forth
لِلَّهِ
lillahi
for Allah
ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ
l-amthāla
the similitude
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
knows
وَأَنتُمْ
wa-antum
and you
لَا
lā
(do) not
تَعْلَمُونَ
taʿlamūna
know
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.
74. 1. Just as the polytheists give examples that if one wants to meet a king or has some work with him, no one can meet the king directly. First, he has to contact the king’s close associates, and only then does he get access to the king. In the same way, they say that Allah’s Being is very exalted and high. To reach Him, we make these deities a means or take the intercession of saints. Allah Almighty has said, do not compare Allah to yourselves nor give such examples. Because He is One, and there is nothing like Him. Then, a king is neither Knower of the unseen, nor present and watching, nor Hearing and Seeing, that he could be aware of the conditions and needs of his subjects without any intermediary, whereas Allah Almighty has knowledge of everything apparent and hidden, present and absent. He sees the deeds done in the darkness of night and is also capable of hearing everyone’s supplication. So, how can a human king or ruler be compared or equated with Allah Almighty?
