سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ
Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 34
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ ٱلْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِي۟ن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ ٱلْخَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿34﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): then if you die, would they live forever?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَا
wamā
And not
جَعَلْنَا
jaʿalnā
We made
لِبَشَرٍۢ
libasharin
for any man
مِّن
min
before you
قَبْلِكَ
qablika
before you
ٱلْخُلْدَ ۖ
l-khul'da
[the] immortality
أَفَإِي۟ن
afa-in
so if
مِّتَّ
mitta
you die
فَهُمُ
fahumu
then (would) they
ٱلْخَـٰلِدُونَ
l-khālidūna
live forever
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 34) ➊ { وَ مَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ :} In the previous four verses, six proofs of the existence of the Creator of the universe and His oneness were mentioned. Now, from here, it is stated that this system has not been established to last forever, but rather for trial and testing. (Kabir)
➋ Baqa'i has mentioned the relevance to the previous verse that it discussed the coming and going of night and day, by which every person's lifespan eventually comes to an end. Therefore, it is stated that We have not granted immortality to any human before you, whether righteous or wicked. This verse is also a very strong proof that Khidr (peace be upon him) is not alive. As for 'Isa (peace be upon him), the fact that his life is very long does not mean that he has been granted eternal life, because after descending to earth near the Day of Judgment, he too will die. [ بخاري، العلم، باب السمر في العلم : ۱۱۶، عن ابن عمر رضی اللہ عنھما ] That hadith is also a clear proof in which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ فَإِنَّ رَأْسَ مِئَةِ سَنَةٍ مِنْهَا لَا يَبْقٰی مِمَّنْ هُوَ عَلٰی ظَهْرِ الْأَرْضِ أَحَدٌ ] [ بخاري، في العلم، باب السمر فی العلم : ۱۱۶۔ مسلم : ۲۵۳۸ ] "Those who are present on the face of the earth today, not one of them will remain after one hundred years from today."
➌ { اَفَاۡىِٕنْ مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخٰلِدُوْنَ:} In this is a response to those who used to express joy by saying that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) will soon die and we will be rid of him. See Surah At-Tur (20). It is stated that they would only have reason to rejoice if they themselves were to live forever.
➋ Baqa'i has mentioned the relevance to the previous verse that it discussed the coming and going of night and day, by which every person's lifespan eventually comes to an end. Therefore, it is stated that We have not granted immortality to any human before you, whether righteous or wicked. This verse is also a very strong proof that Khidr (peace be upon him) is not alive. As for 'Isa (peace be upon him), the fact that his life is very long does not mean that he has been granted eternal life, because after descending to earth near the Day of Judgment, he too will die. [ بخاري، العلم، باب السمر في العلم : ۱۱۶، عن ابن عمر رضی اللہ عنھما ] That hadith is also a clear proof in which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ فَإِنَّ رَأْسَ مِئَةِ سَنَةٍ مِنْهَا لَا يَبْقٰی مِمَّنْ هُوَ عَلٰی ظَهْرِ الْأَرْضِ أَحَدٌ ] [ بخاري، في العلم، باب السمر فی العلم : ۱۱۶۔ مسلم : ۲۵۳۸ ] "Those who are present on the face of the earth today, not one of them will remain after one hundred years from today."
➌ { اَفَاۡىِٕنْ مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخٰلِدُوْنَ:} In this is a response to those who used to express joy by saying that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) will soon die and we will be rid of him. See Surah At-Tur (20). It is stated that they would only have reason to rejoice if they themselves were to live forever.
