سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ
Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 74
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿74﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَا
falā
So (do) not
تَضْرِبُوا۟
taḍribū
put forth
لِلَّهِ
lillahi
for Allah
ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ
l-amthāla
the similitude
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
knows
وَأَنتُمْ
wa-antum
and you
لَا
lā
(do) not
تَعْلَمُونَ
taʿlamūna
know
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.
(Ayah74) ➊ { فَلَا تَضْرِبُوْا لِلّٰهِ الْاَمْثَالَ:} The polytheists say that just as the ministers and courtiers of kings have influence in their kingdom and the king has to listen to them, similarly, our deities, incarnations, and idols also have authority in the court of Allah, that is why we worship them. But this analogy is incorrect. Kings cannot do everything themselves, but Allah does everything Himself and no one has even the slightest influence over Him.
➋ { وَ اَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ:} That is, it is your ignorance that you compare Allah to the kings of the world and think that Allah cannot reject their intercession. Sometimes, just as a ladder is needed to climb to the roof, you consider your patrons as a ladder, whereas Allah does not need any ladder at all. He is absolutely near and is not dependent on anyone such that He cannot reject their intercession. All this is your foolishness and lack of understanding, so do not present such examples for Allah. Now, two examples are presented ahead; reflect on them.
➋ { وَ اَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ:} That is, it is your ignorance that you compare Allah to the kings of the world and think that Allah cannot reject their intercession. Sometimes, just as a ladder is needed to climb to the roof, you consider your patrons as a ladder, whereas Allah does not need any ladder at all. He is absolutely near and is not dependent on anyone such that He cannot reject their intercession. All this is your foolishness and lack of understanding, so do not present such examples for Allah. Now, two examples are presented ahead; reflect on them.
