سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْلٰي
Surah Al-A'laa (87) — Ayah 9
فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ ﴿9﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَذَكِّرْ
fadhakkir
So remind
إِن
in
if
نَّفَعَتِ
nafaʿati
benefits
ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ
l-dhik'rā
the reminder
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 9 to 11) {فَذَكِّرْ اِنْ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰى … :} "So remind, if the reminder benefits." Here, a question arises: if the reminder does not benefit, should one stop reminding? The answer is: absolutely not; rather, it is necessary to keep reminding. So then, what is the meaning of the verse? Among the various interpretations of the verse, three are closer: (1) In Tafsir Thanai, it is mentioned that based on this verse, some people stop admonishing misguided people, saying that the command to admonish is only when admonition is beneficial, otherwise not; this is their mistake. In the verse, {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} is that unless a person knows with absolute proof that a certain person will not benefit from admonition, the place of {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} remains, and absolute proof is only divine revelation. Without revelation, there is always the possibility that admonition may be beneficial, so unless you know from divine revelation that admonition will not benefit someone, keep admonishing. Obviously, you do not have divine revelation, so you should always keep admonishing. (In summary)
(2) The second interpretation is that {’’ فَذَكِّرْ اِنْ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰى ‘‘} ("Remind, if the reminder benefits") does not mean that you should admonish only the one who benefits and not the other, because this cannot be known; rather, it means admonish if even one person benefits. As if the object of {’’ نَفَعَتْ‘‘} is omitted, that is, {’’ إِنْ نَفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰي أَحَدًا ‘‘}, and it is clear that someone or the other does benefit, so you should keep admonishing everyone. {’’ سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَنْ يَّخْشٰى … ‘‘} Then the one who fears will accept, and the wretched will avoid; your job is to keep admonishing in the hope that the admonition will benefit someone.
(3) The third interpretation is that {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} the conditional particle {’’إِذْ‘‘} is in the meaning of "when," that is, admonish when admonition is beneficial. Take into account the time and place; untimely words are not effective. When you see that they are inclined to listen, then admonish, and when they are stubborn and rebellious, then withdraw; this does not mean to abandon admonition altogether. Musa (peace be upon him) did not stop admonishing Pharaoh, nor did Nuh and other prophets (peace be upon them) stop admonishing their nations until punishment came upon them.
(2) The second interpretation is that {’’ فَذَكِّرْ اِنْ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰى ‘‘} ("Remind, if the reminder benefits") does not mean that you should admonish only the one who benefits and not the other, because this cannot be known; rather, it means admonish if even one person benefits. As if the object of {’’ نَفَعَتْ‘‘} is omitted, that is, {’’ إِنْ نَفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰي أَحَدًا ‘‘}, and it is clear that someone or the other does benefit, so you should keep admonishing everyone. {’’ سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَنْ يَّخْشٰى … ‘‘} Then the one who fears will accept, and the wretched will avoid; your job is to keep admonishing in the hope that the admonition will benefit someone.
(3) The third interpretation is that {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} the conditional particle {’’إِذْ‘‘} is in the meaning of "when," that is, admonish when admonition is beneficial. Take into account the time and place; untimely words are not effective. When you see that they are inclined to listen, then admonish, and when they are stubborn and rebellious, then withdraw; this does not mean to abandon admonition altogether. Musa (peace be upon him) did not stop admonishing Pharaoh, nor did Nuh and other prophets (peace be upon them) stop admonishing their nations until punishment came upon them.
