سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 50
۞ قُلْ كُونُوا۟ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا ﴿50﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) "Be you stones or iron,"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ قُلْ
qul
Say
كُونُوا۟
kūnū
Be
حِجَارَةً
ḥijāratan
stones
أَوْ
aw
or
حَدِيدًا
ḥadīdan
iron
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 51,50) ➊ { قُلْ كُوْنُوْا حِجَارَةً …:} The meaning is that even in soil, signs of life can be seen in the form of vegetation; you should try to become something that cannot accept life in any way, for example, stone, iron, or any creature whose being alive seems even more unlikely to you than these. Even then, Allah Almighty will resurrect you and bring you back to life.
➋ { قُلِ الَّذِيْ فَطَرَكُمْ اَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ :} That is, the One who created you the first time will resurrect you again, because creating something for the first time is difficult and doing it again is easier. So what difficulty is there for Him to give you life again? (See Rum: 19) Whereas for Him, creating the first and second time are equally easy.
➌ {فَسَيُنْغِضُوْنَ۠ اِلَيْكَ رُءُوْسَهُمْ …: ’’ أَنْغَضَ يُنْغِضُ ‘‘} (Af‘aal) means to shake the head in astonishment or mockery, that is, being left speechless, they will ask, “So when will that Resurrection be?” You should tell them that when its coming is certain, your question is pointless. When it is bound to come, no matter how far it may be, consider it near and worry about your salvation. Its example is like that of an unworthy student who knows that the exam is inevitable, but does not accept its occurrence or does not prepare for it just because the date of its occurrence is unknown, or because it is not happening immediately. Obviously, this is utter foolishness.
➋ { قُلِ الَّذِيْ فَطَرَكُمْ اَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ :} That is, the One who created you the first time will resurrect you again, because creating something for the first time is difficult and doing it again is easier. So what difficulty is there for Him to give you life again? (See Rum: 19) Whereas for Him, creating the first and second time are equally easy.
➌ {فَسَيُنْغِضُوْنَ۠ اِلَيْكَ رُءُوْسَهُمْ …: ’’ أَنْغَضَ يُنْغِضُ ‘‘} (Af‘aal) means to shake the head in astonishment or mockery, that is, being left speechless, they will ask, “So when will that Resurrection be?” You should tell them that when its coming is certain, your question is pointless. When it is bound to come, no matter how far it may be, consider it near and worry about your salvation. Its example is like that of an unworthy student who knows that the exam is inevitable, but does not accept its occurrence or does not prepare for it just because the date of its occurrence is unknown, or because it is not happening immediately. Obviously, this is utter foolishness.
