سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ
Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 89
أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَلَّا يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا ﴿89﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Did they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَفَلَا
afalā
Then, did not
يَرَوْنَ
yarawna
they see
أَلَّا
allā
that not
يَرْجِعُ
yarjiʿu
it (could) return
إِلَيْهِمْ
ilayhim
to them
قَوْلًۭا
qawlan
a word
وَلَا
walā
and not
يَمْلِكُ
yamliku
possess
لَهُمْ
lahum
for them
ضَرًّۭا
ḍarran
any harm
وَلَا
walā
and not
نَفْعًۭا
nafʿan
any benefit
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 89){ اَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ اَلَّا يَرْجِعُ اِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًا… :} This is the same argument that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) presented before his father and his people: «{ يٰۤاَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَ لَا يُبْصِرُ وَ لَا يُغْنِيْ عَنْكَ شَيْـًٔا }» [ مریم : ۴۲ ] "O my father! Why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees nor benefits you in any way?" Most of the arguments presented by Musa (peace be upon him) are the same as those presented by his forefather Ibrahim (peace be upon him); see Surah Ash-Shu'ara. Observe the strange idol-worship of Bani Israel: they accepted a lifeless statue of a calf made of metal as their deity, fulfiller of needs, and remover of difficulties, merely because of its sound. The statue was also of that animal which is considered the most simple-minded among all animals and which itself is a servant and food for humans. They did not consider that they themselves are a thousand times more capable than this statue, as they can speak, move at will, and can bring some benefit or harm according to their ability, whereas whether the idol is of a calf or a human, it is devoid of speaking, moving, hearing, and seeing—of everything. This matter has been explained in great detail in Surah Al-A'raf, verses (194, 195).
