سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ
Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 36
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ ﴿36﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimân (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allâh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَمَّا
falammā
So when
جَآءَ
jāa
came
سُلَيْمَـٰنَ
sulaymāna
(to) Sulaiman
قَالَ
qāla
he said
أَتُمِدُّونَنِ
atumiddūnani
Will you provide me
بِمَالٍۢ
bimālin
with wealth
فَمَآ
famā
But what
ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ
ātāniya
Allah has given me
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah has given me
خَيْرٌۭ
khayrun
(is) better
مِّمَّآ
mimmā
than what
ءَاتَىٰكُم
ātākum
He has given you
بَلْ
bal
Nay
أَنتُم
antum
you
بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ
bihadiyyatikum
in your gift
تَفْرَحُونَ
tafraḥūna
rejoice
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 36) ➊ { فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمٰنَ … :} When the envoy brought gifts to Solomon (peace be upon him), he refused to accept those gifts and clearly stated that he had no interest in their wealth and riches, nor could he be deterred from his intention by accepting a bribe of wealth and riches. What would I do with this wealth, when I already possess much more than you? Do you want me to be pleased with your wealth and let you remain in disbelief and polytheism? The words of {’’ اَتُمِدُّوْنَنِ بِمَالٍ ‘‘} indicate that the gift was in the form of wealth and gold.
➋ The meaning of { بَلْ اَنْتُمْ بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُوْنَ: ’’فَرِحَ‘‘} is both to be pleased and to be elated, that is, it is your habit to be pleased and elated with such gifts, but if I desire any gift, it is your faith. If you are not willing for this, then be prepared to fight.
➋ The meaning of { بَلْ اَنْتُمْ بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُوْنَ: ’’فَرِحَ‘‘} is both to be pleased and to be elated, that is, it is your habit to be pleased and elated with such gifts, but if I desire any gift, it is your faith. If you are not willing for this, then be prepared to fight.
