سُوْرَةُ سَبَاٍ
Surah Saba (34) — Ayah 28
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿28﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We have not sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَآ
wamā
And not
أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ
arsalnāka
We have sent you
إِلَّا
illā
except
كَآفَّةًۭ
kāffatan
comprehensively
لِّلنَّاسِ
lilnnāsi
to mankind
بَشِيرًۭا
bashīran
(as) a giver of glad tidings
وَنَذِيرًۭا
wanadhīran
and (as) a warner
وَلَـٰكِنَّ
walākinna
But
أَكْثَرَ
akthara
most
ٱلنَّاسِ
l-nāsi
[the] people
لَا
lā
(do) not
يَعْلَمُونَ
yaʿlamūna
know
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 28) ➊ {وَ مَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا كَآفَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ : ’’ كَآفَّةً ‘‘} means {’’عَامَّةً‘‘}, this is the state of {’’اَلنَّاسُ‘‘}, meaning We have not sent you except to all mankind. After mentioning the Hereafter and monotheism, the Prophethood of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) is mentioned. Dawud and Sulaiman (peace be upon them) were granted such kingship along with Prophethood that was unique to them, and the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was granted such a Messengership that was not given to any other Prophet besides him. That is, all previous Prophets were sent only to their own people and their invitation was for people of a limited time, whereas the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent to all nations and all people on the face of the earth, and his invitation is for people until the Day of Judgment. See also the exegesis of Surah Al-A'raf (158), Al-Anbiya (107), and Al-Furqan (1).
➋ Another meaning of {’’ كَآفَّةً ‘‘} has also been given: that the meaning of {’’كَفَّ يَكُفُّ كَفًّا‘‘} (n) is to prevent, and in {’’ كَآفَّةً ‘‘} the "taa" is not for feminine, but for emphasis, as in {’’عَلَّامَةٌ‘‘} and {’’رَاوِيَةٌ‘‘}, meaning very much preventing, i.e., We have sent you as one who greatly prevents people (from misguidance). This meaning is also correct.
➌ { بَشِيْرًا وَّ نَذِيْرًا :} means that both glad tidings and warnings are combined in your invitation: giving good news to those who obey and warning those who do not believe of Allah's punishment.
➍ {وَ لٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ :} means that most people do not recognize your worth and status; they do not realize what a magnificent personality they have been blessed with, so due to ignorance, they are determined in their opposition and enmity towards you.
➋ Another meaning of {’’ كَآفَّةً ‘‘} has also been given: that the meaning of {’’كَفَّ يَكُفُّ كَفًّا‘‘} (n) is to prevent, and in {’’ كَآفَّةً ‘‘} the "taa" is not for feminine, but for emphasis, as in {’’عَلَّامَةٌ‘‘} and {’’رَاوِيَةٌ‘‘}, meaning very much preventing, i.e., We have sent you as one who greatly prevents people (from misguidance). This meaning is also correct.
➌ { بَشِيْرًا وَّ نَذِيْرًا :} means that both glad tidings and warnings are combined in your invitation: giving good news to those who obey and warning those who do not believe of Allah's punishment.
➍ {وَ لٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ :} means that most people do not recognize your worth and status; they do not realize what a magnificent personality they have been blessed with, so due to ignorance, they are determined in their opposition and enmity towards you.
