سُوْرَةُ هُوْدٍ
Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 91
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا ۖ وَلَوْلَا رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَـٰكَ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيزٍ ﴿91﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "O Shu‘aib! We do not understand much of what you say, and we see you weak (it is said that he was a blind man) among us. Were it not for your family, we should certainly have stoned you and you are not powerful against us."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟
qālū
They said
يَـٰشُعَيْبُ
yāshuʿaybu
O Shuaib
مَا
mā
Not
نَفْقَهُ
nafqahu
we understand
كَثِيرًۭا
kathīran
much
مِّمَّا
mimmā
of what
تَقُولُ
taqūlu
you say
وَإِنَّا
wa-innā
and indeed, we
لَنَرَىٰكَ
lanarāka
surely [we] see you
فِينَا
fīnā
among us
ضَعِيفًۭا ۖ
ḍaʿīfan
weak
وَلَوْلَا
walawlā
And if not
رَهْطُكَ
rahṭuka
for your family
لَرَجَمْنَـٰكَ ۖ
larajamnāka
surely we would have stoned you
وَمَآ
wamā
and you are not
أَنتَ
anta
and you are not
عَلَيْنَا
ʿalaynā
against us
بِعَزِيزٍۢ
biʿazīzin
mighty
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 91) ➊ {قَالُوْا يٰشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ … : ’’ فَقِهَ يَفْقَهُ ‘‘} (a) Understanding the meaning of the speaker’s words. They said this out of mockery and contempt, that is, to declare Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) and his words as worthless, or their minds had become so distorted by continuously disobeying Allah Almighty that even the straightforward words of Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) truly did not register in their minds, even though Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) neither spoke in a foreign language nor was his manner of speech complicated or confusing. Rather, from Shu‘ayb’s (peace be upon him) speech, it is clear how eloquent and articulate an orator he was. The summary of the words of the commentator Abu al-Su‘ud is that they said, “We do not understand the meaning of your words,” at a time when they had already heard from Shu‘ayb (peace be upon him) the truth and such clear arguments in the best and most eloquent manner, for which they had no answer. Now, they had nothing left to say, so just as a person, when left speechless, resorts to foul language, insults, and threats, this is exactly what they did.
➋ { وَ اِنَّا لَنَرٰىكَ فِيْنَا ضَعِيْفًا :} That is, you have neither an army, nor authority, nor grandeur.
➌ { وَ لَوْ لَا رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنٰكَ : } Who are upon our religion, but are supporting him.
➍ {وَ مَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيْزٍ: ’’عَزِيْزٌ‘‘} Honored, beloved, and strong, meaning you are not honored in any way over us, nor do we consider you to have any respect, nor do we have any love for you, and nor are you stronger than us. In short, stoning you would not be difficult for us at all; if it were not for your tribe, who are upon our religion and supporting him, we would certainly have stoned you. At the time these verses were revealed, exactly the same situation was faced by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Makkah. The Quraysh were thirsty for his blood and wanted to end his life by every possible means, but since Banu Hashim were supporting him and especially your uncle Abu Talib was fully protecting you, the Quraysh did not dare to lay a hand on him.
➋ { وَ اِنَّا لَنَرٰىكَ فِيْنَا ضَعِيْفًا :} That is, you have neither an army, nor authority, nor grandeur.
➌ { وَ لَوْ لَا رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنٰكَ : } Who are upon our religion, but are supporting him.
➍ {وَ مَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيْزٍ: ’’عَزِيْزٌ‘‘} Honored, beloved, and strong, meaning you are not honored in any way over us, nor do we consider you to have any respect, nor do we have any love for you, and nor are you stronger than us. In short, stoning you would not be difficult for us at all; if it were not for your tribe, who are upon our religion and supporting him, we would certainly have stoned you. At the time these verses were revealed, exactly the same situation was faced by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Makkah. The Quraysh were thirsty for his blood and wanted to end his life by every possible means, but since Banu Hashim were supporting him and especially your uncle Abu Talib was fully protecting you, the Quraysh did not dare to lay a hand on him.
