Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Did they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَفَلَاafalāThen, did not
يَرَوْنَyarawnathey see
أَلَّاallāthat not
يَرْجِعُyarjiʿuit (could) return
إِلَيْهِمْilayhimto them
قَوْلًۭاqawlana word
وَلَاwalāand not
يَمْلِكُyamlikupossess
لَهُمْlahumfor them
ضَرًّۭاḍarranany harm
وَلَاwalāand not
نَفْعًۭاnafʿanany benefit
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.
89. 1. Allah Almighty, explaining their ignorance and foolishness, said that these blind in intellect did not even realize that this calf could not give any answer. Nor is it capable of bringing benefit or harm. Whereas only that can be a deity who is capable of hearing everyone's pleas, bringing benefit and harm, and fulfilling needs.