سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 21
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
yāayyuhā
O
ٱلنَّاسُ
l-nāsu
mankind
ٱعْبُدُوا۟
uʿ'budū
worship
رَبَّكُمُ
rabbakumu
your Lord
ٱلَّذِى
alladhī
the One Who
خَلَقَكُمْ
khalaqakum
created you
وَٱلَّذِينَ
wa-alladhīna
and those
مِن
min
from
قَبْلِكُمْ
qablikum
before you
لَعَلَّكُمْ
laʿallakum
so that you may
تَتَّقُونَ
tattaqūna
become righteous
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 21) ➊ Up to the previous verse was the introduction, stating that the Quran, which is the original source of guidance, divides people into three categories based on whether they accept or reject it. Now, with a direct address, the main point is being presented before all people, which is the true purpose of this book’s message, for which Books were revealed and Prophets were sent: the call to monotheism, that is, to acknowledge Allah Almighty as One and not associate anyone with Him in worship or supplication.
➋ Tabari has narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) the meaning of { ”اعْبُدُوْا“ }: {’’ اَيْ وَحِّدُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ‘‘} meaning, “Acknowledge your Lord as One.”
➌ The first argument for monotheism is that He is your Lord, who is nurturing you and fulfilling all your needs. The second argument is the blessing that precedes even being Lord, and that is creating you. All other blessings come after this; if this did not exist, nothing else would. The Noble Quran strongly emphasizes this argument and repeats it often. This is because even the disbelievers acknowledged that Allah Almighty is the Creator. He says: «{ وَ لَئِنْ سَاَلْتَهُمْ مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُوْلُنَّ اللّٰهُ }» [ الزخرف : ۸۷ ] “And if you were to ask them who created them, they would surely say, ‘Allah.’”
➍ {”لَعَلَّ“} here is in the meaning of {’’ كَيْ‘‘}, that is, “so that.”
➎ { تَتَّقُوْنَ:} means “save yourselves,” that is, save yourselves from Allah’s grasp and from Hell.
➋ Tabari has narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) the meaning of { ”اعْبُدُوْا“ }: {’’ اَيْ وَحِّدُوْا رَبَّكُمْ ‘‘} meaning, “Acknowledge your Lord as One.”
➌ The first argument for monotheism is that He is your Lord, who is nurturing you and fulfilling all your needs. The second argument is the blessing that precedes even being Lord, and that is creating you. All other blessings come after this; if this did not exist, nothing else would. The Noble Quran strongly emphasizes this argument and repeats it often. This is because even the disbelievers acknowledged that Allah Almighty is the Creator. He says: «{ وَ لَئِنْ سَاَلْتَهُمْ مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُوْلُنَّ اللّٰهُ }» [ الزخرف : ۸۷ ] “And if you were to ask them who created them, they would surely say, ‘Allah.’”
➍ {”لَعَلَّ“} here is in the meaning of {’’ كَيْ‘‘}, that is, “so that.”
➎ { تَتَّقُوْنَ:} means “save yourselves,” that is, save yourselves from Allah’s grasp and from Hell.
