سُوْرَةُ هُوْدٍ
Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 1
الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ ﴿1﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Alif-Lâm-Râ. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from One (Allâh) Who is All-Wise Well-Acquainted (with all things).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
الٓر ۚ
alif-lam-ra
Alif Lam Ra
كِتَـٰبٌ
kitābun
(This is) a Book
أُحْكِمَتْ
uḥ'kimat
are perfected
ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ
āyātuhu
its Verses
ثُمَّ
thumma
moreover
فُصِّلَتْ
fuṣṣilat
explained in detail
مِن
min
from (he One Who)
لَّدُنْ
ladun
from (he One Who)
حَكِيمٍ
ḥakīmin
(is) All-Wise
خَبِيرٍ
khabīrin
All-Aware
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.
In this Surah, there is the invitation to Tawheed, the steadfastness of the Prophets during this invitation, the circumstances and events they faced, the worst outcome of those who denied them and the mention of the punishments that befell them, as well as the salvation of the believers and the blessings of Allah bestowed upon them. Since the aspect of warning (intimidation) is predominant in it, it had a great effect on the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus, Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: [ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ! قَدْ شِبْتَ، قَالَ شَيَّبَتْنِيْ هُوْدٌ وَالْوَاقِعَةُ وَالْمُرْسَلاَتُ وَ { عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُوْنَ۠} وَ { اِذَا الشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ } ] [ ترمذی، التفسیر، باب ومن سورۃ الواقعۃ : ۳۲۹۷۔ السلسلۃ الصحیحۃ : ۹۵۵ ] "O Messenger of Allah! You have grown old." He replied: "Hud, Waqi'ah, Mursalat, 'Amma Yatasa'aloon, and Takweer have made me old."
(Ayah 1) ➊ {الٓرٰ:} See the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
➋ {كِتٰبٌ اُحْكِمَتْ اٰيٰتُهٗ :} Here, four attributes of the Noble Qur'an are mentioned. The first is that this Qur'an (a recited collection) is also a Book (a written collection). The second is that its verses are Muhkam, meaning they have been revealed perfectly, strongly, and unalterably, in which there is no flaw or deficiency, nor are they (collectively) abrogated, nor will they ever be abrogated, nor can any book be brought in comparison to it, even if all creation were to gather together. Only this Book has such Muhkam verses.
➌ { ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ:} The third is that its verses are so clear and explained in detail that there is no ambiguity or complexity in the meaning of any verse. Then, the entire Book is divided into different Surahs and verses. Each verse is separate, independent in its place, like a very beautiful necklace strung with pearls of various subjects—Tawheed, the Hereafter, Prophethood, stories—each shining in its own place with utmost appropriate distance, order, and beauty. Then, even in revelation, the verses and Surahs were revealed separately as needed. {’’ فُصِّلَتْ ‘‘} includes all these aspects.
➍ { مِنْ لَّدُنْ حَكِيْمٍ خَبِيْرٍ :} The fourth is that it is not the composition of any human, angel, jinn, or any creature, but rather the speech of that Pure Being who is Hakim. One meaning of Hakim is the One who makes things firm and strong, whose every creation is extremely solid, perfect, and strong. He said: «{ صُنْعَ اللّٰهِ الَّذِيْۤ اَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ }» [ النمل : ۸۸ ] "By the craftsmanship of Allah, Who perfected all things." That is, the mountains and their movement on the Day of Resurrection like clouds is the craftsmanship of Allah, Who perfected all things. If this is the state of His creation, can there be any limit to the perfection of His speech? The second meaning of Hakim is the One with wisdom, that is, the One full of wisdom. That is, all its verses are filled with perfect wisdom and knowledge. Khabeer means the One Who sent it down is fully aware of everything.
(Ayah 1) ➊ {الٓرٰ:} See the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
➋ {كِتٰبٌ اُحْكِمَتْ اٰيٰتُهٗ :} Here, four attributes of the Noble Qur'an are mentioned. The first is that this Qur'an (a recited collection) is also a Book (a written collection). The second is that its verses are Muhkam, meaning they have been revealed perfectly, strongly, and unalterably, in which there is no flaw or deficiency, nor are they (collectively) abrogated, nor will they ever be abrogated, nor can any book be brought in comparison to it, even if all creation were to gather together. Only this Book has such Muhkam verses.
➌ { ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ:} The third is that its verses are so clear and explained in detail that there is no ambiguity or complexity in the meaning of any verse. Then, the entire Book is divided into different Surahs and verses. Each verse is separate, independent in its place, like a very beautiful necklace strung with pearls of various subjects—Tawheed, the Hereafter, Prophethood, stories—each shining in its own place with utmost appropriate distance, order, and beauty. Then, even in revelation, the verses and Surahs were revealed separately as needed. {’’ فُصِّلَتْ ‘‘} includes all these aspects.
➍ { مِنْ لَّدُنْ حَكِيْمٍ خَبِيْرٍ :} The fourth is that it is not the composition of any human, angel, jinn, or any creature, but rather the speech of that Pure Being who is Hakim. One meaning of Hakim is the One who makes things firm and strong, whose every creation is extremely solid, perfect, and strong. He said: «{ صُنْعَ اللّٰهِ الَّذِيْۤ اَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ }» [ النمل : ۸۸ ] "By the craftsmanship of Allah, Who perfected all things." That is, the mountains and their movement on the Day of Resurrection like clouds is the craftsmanship of Allah, Who perfected all things. If this is the state of His creation, can there be any limit to the perfection of His speech? The second meaning of Hakim is the One with wisdom, that is, the One full of wisdom. That is, all its verses are filled with perfect wisdom and knowledge. Khabeer means the One Who sent it down is fully aware of everything.
