سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ
Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 28
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ ﴿28﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
He knows
مَا
mā
what
بَيْنَ
bayna
(is) before them
أَيْدِيهِمْ
aydīhim
(is) before them
وَمَا
wamā
and what
خَلْفَهُمْ
khalfahum
(is) behind them
وَلَا
walā
and not
يَشْفَعُونَ
yashfaʿūna
they (can) intercede
إِلَّا
illā
except
لِمَنِ
limani
for whom
ٱرْتَضَىٰ
ir'taḍā
He approves
وَهُم
wahum
And they
مِّنْ
min
from
خَشْيَتِهِۦ
khashyatihi
fear of Him
مُشْفِقُونَ
mush'fiqūna
stand in awe
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 28) ➊ { يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ اَيْدِيْهِمْ وَ مَا خَلْفَهُمْ:} That is, He knows whatever deeds they have done or will do in the future. In this, the reason for their utmost obedience and submission is explained, meaning they know that Allah knows our past, future, apparent, and hidden matters, therefore they do not disobey any of His commands.
➋ {وَ لَا يَشْفَعُوْنَ اِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضٰى :} That is, they intercede only for those whom He is pleased with and for whom He approves intercession and grants permission. See Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) and Saba (34:23). By this are meant the people of faith and monotheism, because disbelievers and polytheists are neither pleasing to Allah nor does He approve intercession for them. This intercession is also in this world, as the angels pray and seek forgiveness for the believers (see Surah Ghafir: 7 to 9), and the prophets and messengers also used to pray for them. In the Hereafter, the angels and prophets will also intercede. Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ شَفَاعَتِيْ لِأَهْلِ الْكَبَائِرِ مِنْ أُمَّتِيْ ] [ مستدرک حاکم : ۱؍۶۹، ح : ۲۲۸، و صححہ الذھبی ] "My intercession will be for the major sinners of my Ummah." This also negates the concept of offspring, because offspring can intercede even against the will of the parent.
➌ { وَ هُمْ مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهٖ مُشْفِقُوْنَ:} In this, the utmost reverence of the angels and messengers for Allah is mentioned, that they always remain fearful due to His awe. This is also evidence that Allah does not have offspring, because such a state does not exist between a parent and child.
➋ {وَ لَا يَشْفَعُوْنَ اِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضٰى :} That is, they intercede only for those whom He is pleased with and for whom He approves intercession and grants permission. See Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) and Saba (34:23). By this are meant the people of faith and monotheism, because disbelievers and polytheists are neither pleasing to Allah nor does He approve intercession for them. This intercession is also in this world, as the angels pray and seek forgiveness for the believers (see Surah Ghafir: 7 to 9), and the prophets and messengers also used to pray for them. In the Hereafter, the angels and prophets will also intercede. Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ شَفَاعَتِيْ لِأَهْلِ الْكَبَائِرِ مِنْ أُمَّتِيْ ] [ مستدرک حاکم : ۱؍۶۹، ح : ۲۲۸، و صححہ الذھبی ] "My intercession will be for the major sinners of my Ummah." This also negates the concept of offspring, because offspring can intercede even against the will of the parent.
➌ { وَ هُمْ مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهٖ مُشْفِقُوْنَ:} In this, the utmost reverence of the angels and messengers for Allah is mentioned, that they always remain fearful due to His awe. This is also evidence that Allah does not have offspring, because such a state does not exist between a parent and child.
