سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ
Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 84
فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا ﴿84﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So make no haste against them; We only count out to them a (limited) number (of the days of the life of this world and delay their term so that they may increase in evil and sins).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَا
falā
So (do) not
تَعْجَلْ
taʿjal
make haste
عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ
ʿalayhim
against them
إِنَّمَا
innamā
Only
نَعُدُّ
naʿuddu
We count
لَهُمْ
lahum
for them
عَدًّۭا
ʿaddan
a number
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 84) ➊ { فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ :} That is, do not act in such a way that, just as they hasten towards evil due to the instigation of the devils, you also begin to demand the hastening of punishment upon them. Rather, wait with patience and perseverance, and let the argument be completed against them. See Surah Al-Ahqaf (35). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ اَلتَّأَنِّيْ مِنَ اللّٰهِ وَالْعَجَلَةُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ ] [ مسند أبی یعلٰی : ۴۲۵۶۔ السنن الکبرٰی للبیہقی : ۲۰۷۶۷۔ سلسلۃ الأحادیث صحیحۃ : 294/4،ح:۱۷۹۵، عن أنس رضی اللہ عنہ ] "Deliberation (forbearance, dignity, calmness) is from Allah, and haste is from Satan."
➋ { اِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا:} For a person's peace, patience, steadfastness, and happiness, there can be nothing greater than the fact that his most powerful Helper is constantly watching over his enemy, and for the enemy, there can be nothing more distressing than this. He said, We are only counting each breath of the respite given to them, and the counted thing will eventually come to an end; then they will not be able to escape in any way, so why the haste? See Surah Hud (8). The reason for the quick passing of the days of fasting is also stated in {’’ اَيَّامًا مَّعْدُوْدَةٍ ‘‘}. Some of the Salaf would recite this verse and weep, saying that the result of the counting coming to an end is your soul departing, your entering the grave, and your separation from your family and loved ones. Another elder said, every breath that is giving you life is decreasing the count of your life's breaths; then what is the state of the life of that person whose very means of being kept alive is the cause of the decline of his life? A poet has beautifully said:
{إِنَّ الْحَبِيْبَ مِنَ الْأَحْبَابِ مُخْتَلَسٌ ¤ لاَ يَمْنَعُ الْمَوْتَ بَوَّابٌ وَلَا حَرَسُ ¤ وَكَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ بِالدُّنْيَا وَلَذَّتِهَا ¤ فَتًي يُعَدُّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّفْظُ وَالنَّفَسُ}
"Every friend is suddenly snatched away from his friends. Neither any gatekeeper nor any guard can stop death. How can that young man be happy with the world and its pleasures, whose every word and breath is being counted?" (Ruh al-Ma'ani)
➋ { اِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا:} For a person's peace, patience, steadfastness, and happiness, there can be nothing greater than the fact that his most powerful Helper is constantly watching over his enemy, and for the enemy, there can be nothing more distressing than this. He said, We are only counting each breath of the respite given to them, and the counted thing will eventually come to an end; then they will not be able to escape in any way, so why the haste? See Surah Hud (8). The reason for the quick passing of the days of fasting is also stated in {’’ اَيَّامًا مَّعْدُوْدَةٍ ‘‘}. Some of the Salaf would recite this verse and weep, saying that the result of the counting coming to an end is your soul departing, your entering the grave, and your separation from your family and loved ones. Another elder said, every breath that is giving you life is decreasing the count of your life's breaths; then what is the state of the life of that person whose very means of being kept alive is the cause of the decline of his life? A poet has beautifully said:
{إِنَّ الْحَبِيْبَ مِنَ الْأَحْبَابِ مُخْتَلَسٌ ¤ لاَ يَمْنَعُ الْمَوْتَ بَوَّابٌ وَلَا حَرَسُ ¤ وَكَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ بِالدُّنْيَا وَلَذَّتِهَا ¤ فَتًي يُعَدُّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّفْظُ وَالنَّفَسُ}
"Every friend is suddenly snatched away from his friends. Neither any gatekeeper nor any guard can stop death. How can that young man be happy with the world and its pleasures, whose every word and breath is being counted?" (Ruh al-Ma'ani)
