سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْعَامِ
Surah Al-An'aam (6) — Ayah 35
وَإِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ إِعْرَاضُهُمْ فَإِنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ أَن تَبْتَغِىَ نَفَقًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ سُلَّمًا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَأْتِيَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۚ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ ﴿35﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
If their aversion (from you, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and from that with which you have been sent) is hard on you, (and you cannot be patient of their harm to you), then if you were able to seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder to the sky, so that you may bring them a sign (and you cannot do it, so be patient). And had Allâh willed, He could have gathered them together (all) on true guidance, so be not you one of those who are Al-Jâhilûn (the ignorant).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِن
wa-in
And if
كَانَ
kāna
is
كَبُرَ
kabura
difficult
عَلَيْكَ
ʿalayka
for you
إِعْرَاضُهُمْ
iʿ'rāḍuhum
their aversion
فَإِنِ
fa-ini
then if
ٱسْتَطَعْتَ
is'taṭaʿta
you are able
أَن
an
to
تَبْتَغِىَ
tabtaghiya
seek
نَفَقًۭا
nafaqan
a tunnel
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
أَوْ
aw
or
سُلَّمًۭا
sullaman
a ladder
فِى
fī
into
ٱلسَّمَآءِ
l-samāi
the sky
فَتَأْتِيَهُم
fatatiyahum
so that you bring to them
بِـَٔايَةٍۢ ۚ
biāyatin
a Sign
وَلَوْ
walaw
But if
شَآءَ
shāa
(had) willed
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
لَجَمَعَهُمْ
lajamaʿahum
surely He (would) have gathered them
عَلَى
ʿalā
on
ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۚ
l-hudā
the guidance
فَلَا
falā
So (do) not
تَكُونَنَّ
takūnanna
be
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ
l-jāhilīna
the 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 35) ➊ {وَ اِنْ كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ اِعْرَاضُهُمْ …:} Regarding the pain and heartbreak that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) experienced due to the rejection of the disbelievers, Allah Almighty is saying that if their indifference is weighing too heavily upon you, then if you can, by digging a tunnel in the earth or by climbing up to the sky by means of a ladder, bring some miracle to persuade these people to accept Islam, then go ahead and try to do so. But since this is not possible for you, what is the benefit of being grieved? It is better to leave the outcome to Us and continue your work of invitation with complete satisfaction and tranquility. For the kinds of miracles the disbelievers demanded, see Surah Bani Isra'il (90 to 97).
➋ {وَ لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ … :} That is, do not think that by bringing any sign (miracle) they will surely come to the path of guidance, because guidance depends entirely on the will of Allah Almighty; your responsibility is only to convey the message. Keep this reality in mind and never grieve or feel regret over these people not believing. If it had been Allah Almighty's wisdom that all people should believe, this would not have been difficult for Him; He only had to say {’’ كُنْ‘‘} and all people would have believed and gathered upon guidance. See Yunus (99). But doing so would be against His will and wisdom, which apparently is that by doing so, the process of testing through granting choice would come to an end. In any case, He alone knows the true wisdom and benefit of His actions, so do not let such thoughts find a place in your heart, but rather, find comfort by having faith in Allah Almighty's will, decree, and wisdom.
➋ {وَ لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ … :} That is, do not think that by bringing any sign (miracle) they will surely come to the path of guidance, because guidance depends entirely on the will of Allah Almighty; your responsibility is only to convey the message. Keep this reality in mind and never grieve or feel regret over these people not believing. If it had been Allah Almighty's wisdom that all people should believe, this would not have been difficult for Him; He only had to say {’’ كُنْ‘‘} and all people would have believed and gathered upon guidance. See Yunus (99). But doing so would be against His will and wisdom, which apparently is that by doing so, the process of testing through granting choice would come to an end. In any case, He alone knows the true wisdom and benefit of His actions, so do not let such thoughts find a place in your heart, but rather, find comfort by having faith in Allah Almighty's will, decree, and wisdom.
