سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ
Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 3
إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا ﴿3﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
When he called out his Lord (Allâh) a call in secret.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِذْ
idh
When
نَادَىٰ
nādā
he called
رَبَّهُۥ
rabbahu
(to) his Lord
نِدَآءً
nidāan
a call
خَفِيًّۭا
khafiyyan
secret
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 3) ➊ {اِذْ نَادٰى رَبَّهٗ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا:} In this verse, the place and time are not mentioned when the urge for this supplication arose in his heart. For its details, see Surah Aal-e-Imran (37, 38).
➋ { نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا:} By a hidden voice, a low voice can also be meant, and supplicating in a place separate from people as well. Some scholars have written the reason that asking for a son in old age would become a cause for people’s mockery, and if he did not receive it, people would mock even more. But the correct view is that a hidden supplication is superior because there is no possibility of showing off, as it is stated: «{ اُدْعُوْا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَّ خُفْيَةً }» [ الأعراف : ۵۵ ] “Call upon your Lord humbly and secretly.” That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) declared the night prayer to be the most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayers. [ مسلم، الصیام، باب فضل صوم المحرم : ۱۱۶۳، عن أبي ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] And he counted among the seven fortunate ones who will be under the shade of the Throne the person who remembered Allah in seclusion and his eyes overflowed, the words of the hadith are: [ ذَكَرَ اللّٰهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهٗ ] Similarly, the one who gave charity so secretly that the left hand did not know what the right hand spent, the words of the hadith are: [ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ فَأَخْفَاهَا حَتّٰی لَا تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهٗ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِيْنُهٗ ] [ بخاري، الزکوٰۃ، باب الصدقۃ بالیمین : ۱۴۲۳ ]
➋ { نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا:} By a hidden voice, a low voice can also be meant, and supplicating in a place separate from people as well. Some scholars have written the reason that asking for a son in old age would become a cause for people’s mockery, and if he did not receive it, people would mock even more. But the correct view is that a hidden supplication is superior because there is no possibility of showing off, as it is stated: «{ اُدْعُوْا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَّ خُفْيَةً }» [ الأعراف : ۵۵ ] “Call upon your Lord humbly and secretly.” That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) declared the night prayer to be the most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayers. [ مسلم، الصیام، باب فضل صوم المحرم : ۱۱۶۳، عن أبي ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] And he counted among the seven fortunate ones who will be under the shade of the Throne the person who remembered Allah in seclusion and his eyes overflowed, the words of the hadith are: [ ذَكَرَ اللّٰهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهٗ ] Similarly, the one who gave charity so secretly that the left hand did not know what the right hand spent, the words of the hadith are: [ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ فَأَخْفَاهَا حَتّٰی لَا تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهٗ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِيْنُهٗ ] [ بخاري، الزکوٰۃ، باب الصدقۃ بالیمین : ۱۴۲۳ ]
