سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ
Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 21
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ
la-uʿadhibannahu
I will surely punish him
عَذَابًۭا
ʿadhāban
(with) a punishment
شَدِيدًا
shadīdan
severe
أَوْ
aw
or
لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ
laādh'baḥannahu
I will surely slaughter him
أَوْ
aw
unless
لَيَأْتِيَنِّى
layatiyannī
he brings me
بِسُلْطَـٰنٍۢ
bisul'ṭānin
a reason
مُّبِينٍۢ
mubīnin
clear
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 21) {لَاُعَذِّبَنَّهٗ عَذَابًا شَدِيْدًا … :} The hoopoe’s absence without permission was a clear act of disobedience, so Solomon (peace be upon him) pronounced two punishments for it in case it did not present a clear excuse: one, to slaughter it, and the other, a severe punishment less than slaughter. From this, it is understood that there should be disciplinary action for disobedience to the ruler without excuse. If a mujahid is absent without permission, it will be considered whether this is his habit or happened by chance. If it is habitual, and his absence affects the army, and his behavior risks undermining the value of the leader’s commands, then his offense becomes very serious. Similarly, the occasion from which he was absent is also considered; if his responsibility is such that his absence or falling asleep endangers the entire army, then forgiving such negligence would mean destroying one’s own army. Despite this, observe the perfect justice and patience of Solomon (peace be upon him) that he exempted from this punishment in case a clear proof was presented.
