سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ
Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 83
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ ﴿83﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They recognise the Grace of Allâh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others besides Allâh) and most of them are disbelievers (deny the Prophethood of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَعْرِفُونَ
yaʿrifūna
They recognize
نِعْمَتَ
niʿ'mata
(the) Favor
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
ثُمَّ
thumma
then
يُنكِرُونَهَا
yunkirūnahā
they deny it
وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ
wa-aktharuhumu
And most of them
ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
l-kāfirūna
(are) the disbelievers
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.
(Ayah83) ➊ {يَعْرِفُوْنَ نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ يُنْكِرُوْنَهَا: } That is, they know well that all these blessings are being granted only by Allah Himself, but when it comes to practically showing gratitude, they deny it. { ’’ ثُمَّ ‘‘ } Here, it is for amazement that despite knowing everything, they still deny Allah’s blessings, as if they acknowledge the blessings in their hearts but deny them through their actions. In fact, when asked, they even acknowledge Allah’s blessings with their tongues. For example, if you ask, “Who created you?” they will reply, “Allah did.” (See Zukhruf: 87) Similarly, in Surah Al-Mu’minun (84 to 89), their admissions are mentioned. But they were not ready to believe, because they thought that merely saying “La ilaha illallah” would not suffice; rather, they would have to abandon their own desires and obey Allah and His Messenger in every matter, and for this, they were not prepared. Among us, just saying “La ilaha illallah” is considered enough for Paradise, even if the whole life is spent against it. The reason for this is merely parroting the words and being completely disconnected from their meaning. Some scholars have taken {’’ نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ ‘‘} to refer to the person of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), meaning these people, even knowing that you (peace and blessings be upon him) are Allah’s Messenger, still refuse to accept.
➋ { وَ اَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ:’’ اَكْثَرُهُمْ ‘‘} The phrase 'most of them' is used because most of them knowingly disbelieved. Some denied due to ignorance, some even intended faith in their hearts, some were small children who were naturally Muslim but, being the children of disbelievers, were counted among the disbelievers in worldly terms. This is an example of Allah’s justice and utmost caution, that all of them were not declared as those who recognized the blessing and then disbelieved, but this ruling was applied only to most of them.
➋ { وَ اَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ:’’ اَكْثَرُهُمْ ‘‘} The phrase 'most of them' is used because most of them knowingly disbelieved. Some denied due to ignorance, some even intended faith in their hearts, some were small children who were naturally Muslim but, being the children of disbelievers, were counted among the disbelievers in worldly terms. This is an example of Allah’s justice and utmost caution, that all of them were not declared as those who recognized the blessing and then disbelieved, but this ruling was applied only to most of them.
