Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And the disbelievers say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and to every people there is a guide.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَيَقُولُwayaqūluAnd say
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose who
كَفَرُوا۟kafarūdisbelieved
لَوْلَآlawlāWhy not
أُنزِلَunzilahas been sent down
عَلَيْهِʿalayhito him
ءَايَةٌۭāyatuna sign
مِّنminfrom
رَّبِّهِۦٓ ۗrabbihihis Lord
إِنَّمَآinnamāOnly
أَنتَantayou
مُنذِرٌۭ ۖmundhirun(are) a warner
وَلِكُلِّwalikulliand for every
قَوْمٍqawminpeople
هَادٍhādin(is) a guide
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.
(Ayah7) ➊ {وَيَقُوْلُالَّذِيْنَكَفَرُوْالَوْلَاۤاُنْزِلَ …:} In this verse, Allah Almighty has pointed to another meanness of the disbelievers, that these disbelievers, despite seeing the greatest sign (the greatest miracle, that is, the Noble Qur’an) among all the signs (miracles) of the prophets, are saying: why has no sign (miracle) been sent down upon him? If you want to see examples of their demands, look at Surah Bani Isra’il (90 to 93). A sign, that is, a miracle, is of two types: one is tanzili, meaning the commands and verses sent down from Allah Almighty, and the other is takwini, meaning those before which the entire universe is helpless. The Qur’an contains both excellences: it has verses of guidance, and for the whole world, first the complete book, then the challenge to bring ten surahs like it, and then only one surah like it, is open until the Day of Judgment, to which the disbelievers have not been able to respond to this day. See the wretchedness of the disbelievers, yet they still say: why has no sign been sent down upon him?
➋ {اِنَّمَاۤاَنْتَمُنْذِرٌوَّلِكُلِّقَوْمٍهَادٍ:} The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was both a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, but here only his attribute as a warner is mentioned, because the mention is of the disbelievers. {’’ مُنْذِرٌ ‘‘} And on {’’ هَادٍ ‘‘ } the tanween is for magnification, meaning for those who do not believe in Allah, there is a need for a warner from the punishment of this world and the Hereafter, and for every nation there is a great guide. Your task is not to show miracles, but your responsibility is to warn people of the evil end of disbelief, so you are not one who shows miracles, but only a great guide, that is, a warner and one who gives awareness. (With {’’ اِنَّمَاۤ ‘‘} this is an additional restriction, meaning instead of being one who shows miracles, you are a warner; it does not mean that you are nothing except a warner.) Then nations need a guide, and you are also a great guide, so do not be distressed by their unreasonable demands. In Mustadrak Hakim (3/140, Hadith: 4646) it is mentioned that regarding this verse «{ اِنَّمَاۤاَنْتَمُنْذِرٌوَّلِكُلِّقَوْمٍهَادٍ}», Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is the warner and I am the guide.” But this narration is not Sahih, and then to deduce immediate caliphate from it is also incorrect, as is evident. The reality is that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) alone is the warner from Allah and he alone is the guide. Then those people who conveyed, are conveying, and will continue to convey your knowledge and religion, that is, the pure Book and Sunnah (not people’s opinions and analogies), through da’wah and jihad, such as the four caliphs, the noble companions, the mujahideen of Islam, the hadith scholars, the just judges, and the caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them all), all are your true successors.