سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ
Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 33
قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أُو۟لُوا۟ قُوَّةٍ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ وَٱلْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَٱنظُرِى مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ ﴿33﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command: so think over what you will command."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟
qālū
They said
نَحْنُ
naḥnu
We
أُو۟لُوا۟
ulū
(are) possessors
قُوَّةٍۢ
quwwatin
(of) strength
وَأُو۟لُوا۟
wa-ulū
and possessors
بَأْسٍۢ
basin
(of) might
شَدِيدٍۢ
shadīdin
great
وَٱلْأَمْرُ
wal-amru
and the command
إِلَيْكِ
ilayki
(is) up to you
فَٱنظُرِى
fa-unẓurī
so look
مَاذَا
mādhā
what
تَأْمُرِينَ
tamurīna
you will command
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.
(The courtiers) said, "We are powerful and strong warriors, but the decision [30] is yours. So consider what you will command us to do."
[30] The queen’s advisors and courtiers gave the same response that courtiers generally give. They are neither accustomed to burdening their minds with giving any wise answer, nor do they wish to take any responsibility upon themselves. They only wish to say “Yes, Your Majesty” and prove themselves to be obedient servants of the command. And this is exactly what these people did as well: “Our services are at your disposal. We are powerful and well-versed in the art of war. However, the decision as to whether to wage war against Solomon or to become obedient to his command depends upon your own discretion.” Thus, the queen did not gain any particular benefit from consulting her advisors, except that if she intended to confront, they assured her of their loyalty. However, from this it is incidentally understood that although a monarchical system prevailed in Sheba, it was not a despotic system. Rather, the ruler considered it necessary to consult her advisors in important matters.
[30] The queen’s advisors and courtiers gave the same response that courtiers generally give. They are neither accustomed to burdening their minds with giving any wise answer, nor do they wish to take any responsibility upon themselves. They only wish to say “Yes, Your Majesty” and prove themselves to be obedient servants of the command. And this is exactly what these people did as well: “Our services are at your disposal. We are powerful and well-versed in the art of war. However, the decision as to whether to wage war against Solomon or to become obedient to his command depends upon your own discretion.” Thus, the queen did not gain any particular benefit from consulting her advisors, except that if she intended to confront, they assured her of their loyalty. However, from this it is incidentally understood that although a monarchical system prevailed in Sheba, it was not a despotic system. Rather, the ruler considered it necessary to consult her advisors in important matters.
