سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ
Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 52
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَـٰكِفُونَ ﴿52﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِذْ
idh
When
قَالَ
qāla
he said
لِأَبِيهِ
li-abīhi
to his father
وَقَوْمِهِۦ
waqawmihi
and his people
مَا
mā
What
هَـٰذِهِ
hādhihi
(are) these
ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ
l-tamāthīlu
[the] statues
ٱلَّتِىٓ
allatī
which
أَنتُمْ
antum
you
لَهَا
lahā
to it
عَـٰكِفُونَ
ʿākifūna
(are) devoted
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 52) ➊ {اِذْ قَالَ لِاَبِيْهِ وَ قَوْمِهٖ …: ’’ التَّمَاثِيْلُ ‘‘ ’’تِمْثَالٌ‘‘} is the plural of "تِمْثَالٌ" (timthal), an image made in the likeness of any creature of Allah Almighty, a statue. Idol worshipers generally worship statues of humans. This is the understanding that Allah Almighty granted to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) before Musa (peace be upon him), that is, the truth of the oneness of Allah Almighty and the falsehood of idols and all other deities. The people of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) were idol worshipers, they also worshiped stars, the moon, and the sun, and considered the king as lord as well. For the very reasoned, effective, and irrefutable invitation of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) regarding the stars, moon, and sun not being deities, see Surah Al-An'am (76 to 83). For the invitation regarding the king not being lord, see Surah Al-Baqarah (258). Here, the preaching of the idols' powerlessness and its practical demonstration is mentioned.
➋ The reference of {مَا هٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيْلُ …: ’’ هٰذِهِ ‘‘} is for the contempt of idols. Ibrahim (peace be upon him), acting as if ignorant, mentioned the idols to his father and his people with great contempt, asking: "What are these images to which you are devoted?" As if Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was not even ready to consider them as anything, because they neither hear nor can benefit or harm anyone. See Surah Maryam (42).
➋ The reference of {مَا هٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيْلُ …: ’’ هٰذِهِ ‘‘} is for the contempt of idols. Ibrahim (peace be upon him), acting as if ignorant, mentioned the idols to his father and his people with great contempt, asking: "What are these images to which you are devoted?" As if Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was not even ready to consider them as anything, because they neither hear nor can benefit or harm anyone. See Surah Maryam (42).
