سُوْرَةُ الزُّمَرِ
Surah Az-Zumar (39) — Ayah 64
قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ ﴿64﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to the polytheists): "Do you order me to worship other than Allâh? O you fools!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قُلْ
qul
Say
أَفَغَيْرَ
afaghayra
Is (it) other than
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
Allah
تَأْمُرُوٓنِّىٓ
tamurūnnī
you order me
أَعْبُدُ
aʿbudu
(to) worship
أَيُّهَا
ayyuhā
O
ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ
l-jāhilūna
ignorant ones
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.
Say: "O ignorant ones! Do you advise me to worship anyone other than Allah [81]?"
[81]
Forms of Compromise Proposed by the Disbelievers:
The disbelievers of Makkah used various tactics to hinder the path of Islam. The most common method among them was to inflict such severe oppression and persecution upon those who embraced Islam that, if they did not return to their former religion, at least others would take heed and not even think of accepting Islam. Despite these hardships, when Islam continued to spread, political solutions began to be considered and negotiations were initiated. Sometimes, through the mediation of Abu Talib, threats were made to you. Sometimes, temptations were presented, and sometimes, proposals for mutual compromise were offered. Even among these compromises, there were several forms. One was that you should also show some flexibility, and we will do the same; this form is mentioned in Surah Al-Qalam, verse 9. Among them was another form: if not more, then at least just once you should prostrate before our idols, and then we will be ready to accept the rest of what you ﷺ say. There was also a type of negotiation upon which you ﷺ were inclined to reflect, but Allah Almighty strictly forbade you even from entertaining such a thought, and this is mentioned in Surah Bani Isra'il, verse 74. Here too, you are commanded to give these polytheists a very firm and unequivocal response and say: O ignorant ones! If Allah is the Creator of all of us, the Owner is also Allah, the Provider is also Allah, and all authority over every kind of matter in the universe belongs to Allah, then for what reason should I worship these idols? Could there be any statement more foolish than this? What kind of misguided advice are you giving me? Moreover, this revelation has already come to me, and the same kind of revelation came to all previous prophets as well, that whoever—and even if I myself—were to commit shirk, then all my deeds would be rendered void. So how could I possibly accept your advice?
[81]
Forms of Compromise Proposed by the Disbelievers:
The disbelievers of Makkah used various tactics to hinder the path of Islam. The most common method among them was to inflict such severe oppression and persecution upon those who embraced Islam that, if they did not return to their former religion, at least others would take heed and not even think of accepting Islam. Despite these hardships, when Islam continued to spread, political solutions began to be considered and negotiations were initiated. Sometimes, through the mediation of Abu Talib, threats were made to you. Sometimes, temptations were presented, and sometimes, proposals for mutual compromise were offered. Even among these compromises, there were several forms. One was that you should also show some flexibility, and we will do the same; this form is mentioned in Surah Al-Qalam, verse 9. Among them was another form: if not more, then at least just once you should prostrate before our idols, and then we will be ready to accept the rest of what you ﷺ say. There was also a type of negotiation upon which you ﷺ were inclined to reflect, but Allah Almighty strictly forbade you even from entertaining such a thought, and this is mentioned in Surah Bani Isra'il, verse 74. Here too, you are commanded to give these polytheists a very firm and unequivocal response and say: O ignorant ones! If Allah is the Creator of all of us, the Owner is also Allah, the Provider is also Allah, and all authority over every kind of matter in the universe belongs to Allah, then for what reason should I worship these idols? Could there be any statement more foolish than this? What kind of misguided advice are you giving me? Moreover, this revelation has already come to me, and the same kind of revelation came to all previous prophets as well, that whoever—and even if I myself—were to commit shirk, then all my deeds would be rendered void. So how could I possibly accept your advice?
