سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ
Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 71
قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَـٰكِفِينَ ﴿71﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟
qālū
They said
نَعْبُدُ
naʿbudu
We worship
أَصْنَامًۭا
aṣnāman
idols
فَنَظَلُّ
fanaẓallu
so we will remain
لَهَا
lahā
to them
عَـٰكِفِينَ
ʿākifīna
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.
In {قَالُوْا نَعْبُدُ اَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عٰكِفِيْنَ:’’ اَصْنَامًا ‘‘}, the tanween is for glorification. Working throughout the day is called {’’ظَلَّ يَظَلُّ‘‘} and working throughout the night is called {’’ بَاتَ يَبِيْتُ‘‘}. {’’ظَلَّ يَظَلُّ‘‘} also means being engaged in something at any time. {’’ عٰكِفِيْنَ ‘‘} refers to i'tikaf, meaning to remain seated in one place, i.e., being a devotee. In response to Ibrahim (peace be upon him)'s question, it would have been sufficient to say {’’ اَصْنَامًا ‘‘} (of the idols), but they said with pride that we worship great idols. By bringing {’’ لَهَا ‘‘} before {’’ عٰكِفِيْنَ ‘‘}, exclusivity is created, meaning we remain devotees only to them. It is just like if someone tries to explain to a grave-worshipper, "What are you worshipping?" (i.e., something that has no benefit), and he proudly replies, "We are devotees only of such-and-such shrine."
