سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ
Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 44
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ﴿44﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
That
مِنْ
min
(is) from
أَنۢبَآءِ
anbāi
(the) news
ٱلْغَيْبِ
l-ghaybi
(of) the unseen
نُوحِيهِ
nūḥīhi
We reveal it
إِلَيْكَ ۚ
ilayka
to you
وَمَا
wamā
And not
كُنتَ
kunta
you were
لَدَيْهِمْ
ladayhim
with them
إِذْ
idh
when
يُلْقُونَ
yul'qūna
they cast
أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ
aqlāmahum
their pens
أَيُّهُمْ
ayyuhum
(as to) which of them
يَكْفُلُ
yakfulu
takes charge (of)
مَرْيَمَ
maryama
Maryam
وَمَا
wamā
and not
كُنتَ
kunta
you were
لَدَيْهِمْ
ladayhim
with them
إِذْ
idh
when
يَخْتَصِمُونَ
yakhtaṣimūna
they (were) disputing
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.
44. These are tidings of the unseen which We reveal to you, O Muhammadﷺ [44]. You were not with them when they cast their pens (to decide) which of them should be the guardian of Maryam, nor were you with them when they were disputing [45].
[44]
The Previous Events as Proof of Your Prophethood:
That is, such events took place centuries ago. To inform your opponents of them in a completely accurate manner is your miracle and a clear proof of your prophethood. Because you had neither read the Torah nor the Gospel, nor any historical book. Most of your life was spent in Makkah Mukarramah, where there was no learned person from whom you could have heard and then informed others, nor did you have any teacher, nor did you ever sit as a student before anyone. Then, to narrate such events accurately before the scholars of the People of the Book is a strong proof of your being a true Messenger from Allah. Still, those who deny your messengership do so only out of malice, stubbornness, and other interests, and for no other reason.
[45]
How Did Sayyiduna Zakariya Become the Guardian of Maryam?
All the attendants of the temple were aware of the favors Allah was bestowing upon Maryam ؑ, and each of them desired the honor of being her guardian. In this matter, they would dispute with one another and present arguments for their own entitlement. In this context, Sayyiduna Zakariya ؑ informed the others of his right, saying that since he was the real maternal uncle of Maryam ؑ, he was the most deserving to become her guardian. However, the others did not give much importance to Zakariya’s claim, and eventually it was decided that all those present should throw their pens, with which they used to write the Torah, into a flowing river. If anyone’s pen remained in place and did not flow away with the current, that person would be entitled to the guardianship of Maryam ؑ. Clearly, this test was also an extraordinary matter, and only through such an extraordinary event could this issue be decided. Accordingly, the pens were thrown, and except for Zakariya’s pen, all the others flowed away with the current, but Zakariya’s pen remained in its place. He was already the real maternal uncle of Maryam ؑ, and now, in this test, the lot also fell in his favor, so there remained no room for disagreement or dispute.
[44]
The Previous Events as Proof of Your Prophethood:
That is, such events took place centuries ago. To inform your opponents of them in a completely accurate manner is your miracle and a clear proof of your prophethood. Because you had neither read the Torah nor the Gospel, nor any historical book. Most of your life was spent in Makkah Mukarramah, where there was no learned person from whom you could have heard and then informed others, nor did you have any teacher, nor did you ever sit as a student before anyone. Then, to narrate such events accurately before the scholars of the People of the Book is a strong proof of your being a true Messenger from Allah. Still, those who deny your messengership do so only out of malice, stubbornness, and other interests, and for no other reason.
[45]
How Did Sayyiduna Zakariya Become the Guardian of Maryam?
All the attendants of the temple were aware of the favors Allah was bestowing upon Maryam ؑ, and each of them desired the honor of being her guardian. In this matter, they would dispute with one another and present arguments for their own entitlement. In this context, Sayyiduna Zakariya ؑ informed the others of his right, saying that since he was the real maternal uncle of Maryam ؑ, he was the most deserving to become her guardian. However, the others did not give much importance to Zakariya’s claim, and eventually it was decided that all those present should throw their pens, with which they used to write the Torah, into a flowing river. If anyone’s pen remained in place and did not flow away with the current, that person would be entitled to the guardianship of Maryam ؑ. Clearly, this test was also an extraordinary matter, and only through such an extraordinary event could this issue be decided. Accordingly, the pens were thrown, and except for Zakariya’s pen, all the others flowed away with the current, but Zakariya’s pen remained in its place. He was already the real maternal uncle of Maryam ؑ, and now, in this test, the lot also fell in his favor, so there remained no room for disagreement or dispute.
