سُوْرَةُ يٰسٓ
Surah Yaseen (36) — Ayah 6
لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أُنذِرَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ فَهُمْ غَـٰفِلُونَ ﴿6﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لِتُنذِرَ
litundhira
That you may warn
قَوْمًۭا
qawman
a people
مَّآ
mā
not
أُنذِرَ
undhira
were warned
ءَابَآؤُهُمْ
ābāuhum
their forefathers
فَهُمْ
fahum
so they
غَـٰفِلُونَ
ghāfilūna
(are) heedless
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.
6. So that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned [5], and so they are heedless.
[5]
In Makkah, You ﷺ Were Sent Two Thousand Years After Shu‘ayb ؑ:
This verse can have two meanings, and both are correct. If "ma" in ﴿مَا اُنْذِرَ﴾ is understood as "nafiya" (negating), as it has been translated, then it would mean that since no prophet had come to them, these people were deeply immersed in heedlessness and ignorance. And if "ma" is understood as "mawsula" (relative), then it would mean that you should warn them of the same thing with which their ancient forefathers were warned long ago. And it is evident that Sayyiduna Ibrahim ؑ, Sayyiduna Isma‘il ؑ, and Sayyiduna Shu‘ayb ؑ were sent to their forefathers, and the last prophet among them was Shu‘ayb ؑ, since whom two thousand years had passed, and after such a long period, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent to them.
The Condition of Arabia Before the Prophethood of You ﷺ:
And it was the effect of this long period that these people had fallen into extreme ignorance and heedlessness. Their habits and characteristics had greatly deteriorated. Polytheism was so widespread that there were three hundred and sixty idols inside the Ka‘bah, and each tribe also had its own separate idol. The profession of most of them was looting and highway robbery. They were extremely fond of wine. Immorality and shamelessness were common. It was their habit to start quarrels over trivial matters. Then, due to their tribal system, such wars would break out among the tribes that would never seem to end. In short, in every respect, this nation was uncivilized, unfamiliar with culture, and a rough and unrefined people, for whose reform and guidance you ﷺ were sent. From this situation, it can also be estimated how difficult and great was the responsibility placed upon you ﷺ.
[5]
In Makkah, You ﷺ Were Sent Two Thousand Years After Shu‘ayb ؑ:
This verse can have two meanings, and both are correct. If "ma" in ﴿مَا اُنْذِرَ﴾ is understood as "nafiya" (negating), as it has been translated, then it would mean that since no prophet had come to them, these people were deeply immersed in heedlessness and ignorance. And if "ma" is understood as "mawsula" (relative), then it would mean that you should warn them of the same thing with which their ancient forefathers were warned long ago. And it is evident that Sayyiduna Ibrahim ؑ, Sayyiduna Isma‘il ؑ, and Sayyiduna Shu‘ayb ؑ were sent to their forefathers, and the last prophet among them was Shu‘ayb ؑ, since whom two thousand years had passed, and after such a long period, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent to them.
The Condition of Arabia Before the Prophethood of You ﷺ:
And it was the effect of this long period that these people had fallen into extreme ignorance and heedlessness. Their habits and characteristics had greatly deteriorated. Polytheism was so widespread that there were three hundred and sixty idols inside the Ka‘bah, and each tribe also had its own separate idol. The profession of most of them was looting and highway robbery. They were extremely fond of wine. Immorality and shamelessness were common. It was their habit to start quarrels over trivial matters. Then, due to their tribal system, such wars would break out among the tribes that would never seem to end. In short, in every respect, this nation was uncivilized, unfamiliar with culture, and a rough and unrefined people, for whose reform and guidance you ﷺ were sent. From this situation, it can also be estimated how difficult and great was the responsibility placed upon you ﷺ.
