سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 59
وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ ٱلنَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا ﴿59﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayât (proofs, evidence, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamûd as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَا
wamā
And not
مَنَعَنَآ
manaʿanā
stopped Us
أَن
an
that
نُّرْسِلَ
nur'sila
We send
بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ
bil-āyāti
the Signs
إِلَّآ
illā
except
أَن
an
that
كَذَّبَ
kadhaba
denied
بِهَا
bihā
them
ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ
l-awalūna
the former (people)
وَءَاتَيْنَا
waātaynā
And We gave
ثَمُودَ
thamūda
Thamud
ٱلنَّاقَةَ
l-nāqata
the she-camel
مُبْصِرَةًۭ
mub'ṣiratan
(as) a visible sign
فَظَلَمُوا۟
faẓalamū
but they wronged
بِهَا ۚ
bihā
her
وَمَا
wamā
And not
نُرْسِلُ
nur'silu
We send
بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ
bil-āyāti
the Signs
إِلَّا
illā
except
تَخْوِيفًۭا
takhwīfan
(as) a warning
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
59. Nothing prevents Us from sending miracles except that the former peoples denied them [73]. We gave the people of Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign [74], but they wronged her. And We do not send miracles except as a warning.
[73] That is, when stubborn and obstinate people do not believe even after seeing a tangible miracle or a miracle of their own choosing, then in such a case, the descent of divine punishment upon them becomes inevitable. However, since We do not wish to destroy the people of Makkah with such a punishment, and there are many wisdoms hidden in keeping them alive, therefore, it is in their best interest and safety not to grant them their requested miracle.
[74]
The Purpose of Showing a Miracle Is Merely to Instill Fear:
The circumstances of the people of Thamud are before them. They requested a miracle of their own choosing and a tangible miracle. Even after witnessing this miracle, they did not believe. As a result, they were destroyed. Although fulfilling a requested miracle is a powerful proof of Allah’s overwhelming power, yet if someone does not believe even after seeing such a miracle and no fear of Allah arises in his heart, then the only remedy for such people is that they be destroyed by a painful punishment.
[73] That is, when stubborn and obstinate people do not believe even after seeing a tangible miracle or a miracle of their own choosing, then in such a case, the descent of divine punishment upon them becomes inevitable. However, since We do not wish to destroy the people of Makkah with such a punishment, and there are many wisdoms hidden in keeping them alive, therefore, it is in their best interest and safety not to grant them their requested miracle.
[74]
The Purpose of Showing a Miracle Is Merely to Instill Fear:
The circumstances of the people of Thamud are before them. They requested a miracle of their own choosing and a tangible miracle. Even after witnessing this miracle, they did not believe. As a result, they were destroyed. Although fulfilling a requested miracle is a powerful proof of Allah’s overwhelming power, yet if someone does not believe even after seeing such a miracle and no fear of Allah arises in his heart, then the only remedy for such people is that they be destroyed by a painful punishment.
