سُوْرَةُ الشُّوْرٰي
Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 47
ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَإٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ ﴿47﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Answer the Call of your Lord (i.e. accept the Islâmic Monotheism, O mankind, and jinn) before there comes from Allâh a Day which cannot be averted (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded in the Book of your deeds).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟
is'tajībū
Respond
لِرَبِّكُم
lirabbikum
to your Lord
مِّن
min
before
قَبْلِ
qabli
before
أَن
an
[that]
يَأْتِىَ
yatiya
comes
يَوْمٌۭ
yawmun
a Day
لَّا
lā
(there is) no
مَرَدَّ
maradda
averting
لَهُۥ
lahu
for it
مِنَ
mina
from
ٱللَّهِ ۚ
l-lahi
Allah
مَا
mā
Not
لَكُم
lakum
(is) for you
مِّن
min
any
مَّلْجَإٍۢ
malja-in
refuge
يَوْمَئِذٍۢ
yawma-idhin
(on) that Day
وَمَا
wamā
and not
لَكُم
lakum
for you
مِّن
min
any
نَّكِيرٍۢ
nakīrin
denial
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 47) ➊ {اِسْتَجِيْبُوْا لِرَبِّكُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلِ … : ’’ مَرَدَّ ‘‘ ’’رَدَّ يَرُدُّ رَدًّا‘‘ } can be a verbal noun (masdar mimi), an adverb of time, or an adverb of place—meaning a way, a time, or a place for removal or deferral. In this sentence, Allah has emphasized accepting His call as soon as possible in several ways. First, by using the word {’’ اِسْتَجِيْبُوْا ‘‘} instead of {’’ أَجِيْبُوْا ‘‘}. For details, see the commentary of verse (38) of this surah. Then, by reminding of His Lordship’s favor, and finally, by warning of that Day after whose arrival there will be no way, time, or place for it to be deferred or removed.
➋ { لَا مَرَدَّ لَهٗ مِنَ اللّٰهِ:} has two meanings: one is that after its arrival, there is no way from Allah for it to be removed, meaning Allah will not remove it in any way. The second is that after its arrival from Allah, there is no being who can remove it.
➌ If {وَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ: ’’ نَكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is a verbal noun, its meaning is denial, and also being unknown (strange and unrecognized). And if {’’فَعِيْلٌ‘‘} is in the meaning of an active participle, i.e., {’’ مُنْكِرٌ ‘‘}, then the meaning is “one who changes.” That is, on the Day of Resurrection, you will not be able to express disapproval your crimes in any way; rather, due to the record of deeds, the testimonies of the angels, and even the testimony of your own limbs, you will have no room for denial. One meaning of {’’ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is also that you will not be able to protest against the punishment given to you, nor deny it by saying, “We do not accept this punishment,” nor will you or anyone else be a changer of the state in which you are afflicted, nor will it happen that you remain unrecognized and escape by being a stranger or hide by disguising yourself.
➋ { لَا مَرَدَّ لَهٗ مِنَ اللّٰهِ:} has two meanings: one is that after its arrival, there is no way from Allah for it to be removed, meaning Allah will not remove it in any way. The second is that after its arrival from Allah, there is no being who can remove it.
➌ If {وَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ: ’’ نَكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is a verbal noun, its meaning is denial, and also being unknown (strange and unrecognized). And if {’’فَعِيْلٌ‘‘} is in the meaning of an active participle, i.e., {’’ مُنْكِرٌ ‘‘}, then the meaning is “one who changes.” That is, on the Day of Resurrection, you will not be able to express disapproval your crimes in any way; rather, due to the record of deeds, the testimonies of the angels, and even the testimony of your own limbs, you will have no room for denial. One meaning of {’’ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّكِيْرٍ ‘‘} is also that you will not be able to protest against the punishment given to you, nor deny it by saying, “We do not accept this punishment,” nor will you or anyone else be a changer of the state in which you are afflicted, nor will it happen that you remain unrecognized and escape by being a stranger or hide by disguising yourself.
