سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْقَافِ
Surah Al-Ahqaf (46) — Ayah 23
قَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُبَلِّغُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُونَ ﴿23﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He said: "The knowledge (of the time of its coming) is with Allâh only. And I convey to you that wherewith I have been sent, but I see that you are a people given to ignorance!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَ
qāla
He said
إِنَّمَا
innamā
Only
ٱلْعِلْمُ
l-ʿil'mu
the knowledge
عِندَ
ʿinda
(is) with Allah
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(is) with Allah
وَأُبَلِّغُكُم
wa-uballighukum
and I convey to you
مَّآ
mā
what
أُرْسِلْتُ
ur'sil'tu
I am sent
بِهِۦ
bihi
with it
وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ
walākinnī
but
أَرَىٰكُمْ
arākum
I see you
قَوْمًۭا
qawman
a people
تَجْهَلُونَ
tajhalūna
ignorant
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 23) ➊ { قَالَ اِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ:} In response to their insolent demand, Hud (peace be upon him) did not express any bitterness, but rather tried to explain further to them. Thus he said, the knowledge of punishment is only with Allah Almighty, He alone has authority over it, He alone knows whether the punishment will come upon you in this world or in the Hereafter, and He alone knows how long you will be given respite. I neither have the authority to bring punishment upon you whenever I wish, nor do I have knowledge of its timing.
➋ { وَ اُبَلِّغُكُمْ مَّاۤ اُرْسِلْتُ بِهٖ:} My duty is only to convey the message to you with which I have been sent, as He said: « فَاِنْ اَعْرَضُوْا فَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيْظًا اِنْ عَلَيْكَ اِلَّا الْبَلٰغُ » [ الشورٰی : ۴۸ ] "Then if they turn away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them; your duty is only to convey (the message)."
➌ { وَ لٰكِنِّيْۤ اَرٰىكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُوْنَ:} "Jahl" means both stubbornness and ignorance. If the first meaning is taken, then acting foolishly would mean that, firstly, you are insisting on disbelief, asking for punishment instead of accepting good advice, and secondly, you are demanding something from me that is not within my authority. And if this "jahl" is taken in contrast to knowledge, then it means that you do not even know what Allah Almighty's punishment is, nor how close it has come to you, nor do you know that messengers are sent to convey the message; bringing punishment is not within their authority.
➋ { وَ اُبَلِّغُكُمْ مَّاۤ اُرْسِلْتُ بِهٖ:} My duty is only to convey the message to you with which I have been sent, as He said: « فَاِنْ اَعْرَضُوْا فَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيْظًا اِنْ عَلَيْكَ اِلَّا الْبَلٰغُ » [ الشورٰی : ۴۸ ] "Then if they turn away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them; your duty is only to convey (the message)."
➌ { وَ لٰكِنِّيْۤ اَرٰىكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُوْنَ:} "Jahl" means both stubbornness and ignorance. If the first meaning is taken, then acting foolishly would mean that, firstly, you are insisting on disbelief, asking for punishment instead of accepting good advice, and secondly, you are demanding something from me that is not within my authority. And if this "jahl" is taken in contrast to knowledge, then it means that you do not even know what Allah Almighty's punishment is, nor how close it has come to you, nor do you know that messengers are sent to convey the message; bringing punishment is not within their authority.
