Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Indeed, We sent (Messengers) before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) amongst the sects (communities) of old.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْwalaqadAnd certainly
أَرْسَلْنَاarsalnāWe (had) sent
مِنminbefore you
قَبْلِكَqablikabefore you
فِىfīin
شِيَعِshiyaʿithe sects
ٱلْأَوَّلِينَl-awalīna(of) the former (people)
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.
(Ayah11,10) {وَلَقَدْاَرْسَلْنَامِنْقَبْلِكَ …:’’ شِيَعِ ‘‘ ’’ شِيْعَةٌ ‘‘} is the plural of {وَلَقَدْاَرْسَلْنَامِنْقَبْلِكَ …:’’ شِيَعِ ‘‘ ’’ شِيْعَةٌ ‘‘}, meaning a group of people who are united on one way and religion, whether they are good or bad. Here, this word is used in the sense of bad sects, that is, a bad group, as in this verse: «{ اِنَّالَّذِيْنَفَرَّقُوْادِيْنَهُمْوَكَانُوْاشِيَعًالَّسْتَمِنْهُمْفِيْشَيْءٍ }»[ الأنعام : ۱۵۹] “Indeed, those who divided their religion and became sects, you are not [associated] with them in anything.” However, in As-Saffat, it is in the good sense: «{ وَاِنَّمِنْشِيْعَتِهٖلَاِبْرٰهِيْمَ }»[ الصآفات : ۸۳ ] “And indeed, among his group was Abraham.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been consoled that he should not be grieved by their denial and mockery; in every era, the disbelievers have mocked the prophets in this way.