سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْرَافِ
Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 203
وَإِذَا لَمْ تَأْتِهِم بِـَٔايَةٍ قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا ٱجْتَبَيْتَهَا ۚ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ مِن رَّبِّى ۚ هَـٰذَا بَصَآئِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿203﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if you do not bring them a miracle [according to their (i.e. Quraish-pagans’) proposal], they say: "Why have you not brought it?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This (the Qur’ân) is nothing but evidence from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذَا
wa-idhā
And when
لَمْ
lam
not
تَأْتِهِم
tatihim
you bring them
بِـَٔايَةٍۢ
biāyatin
a Sign
قَالُوا۟
qālū
they say
لَوْلَا
lawlā
Why (have) not
ٱجْتَبَيْتَهَا ۚ
ij'tabaytahā
you devised it
قُلْ
qul
Say
إِنَّمَآ
innamā
Only
أَتَّبِعُ
attabiʿu
I follow
مَا
mā
what
يُوحَىٰٓ
yūḥā
is revealed
إِلَىَّ
ilayya
to me
مِن
min
from
رَّبِّى ۚ
rabbī
my Lord
هَـٰذَا
hādhā
This (is)
بَصَآئِرُ
baṣāiru
enlightenment
مِن
min
from
رَّبِّكُمْ
rabbikum
your Lord
وَهُدًۭى
wahudan
and guidance
وَرَحْمَةٌۭ
waraḥmatun
and mercy
لِّقَوْمٍۢ
liqawmin
for a people
يُؤْمِنُونَ
yu'minūna
who believe
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.
203. And when you do not bring them a sign (miracle) [201], they say, "Why have you not chosen one yourself?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. These are enlightening proofs from your Lord, and guidance and mercy for those who believe."
[201]
The Accusation of Fabricating the Quran Against You and Its Response:
With this verse, the subject matter changes, and it mentions a demand of the disbelievers and its response. If the word 'sign' in this verse is taken as a verse of the Quran itself, then the implication would be that when there was a delay in the revelation of a Quranic surah or verses, the disbelievers would say that by now you should have brought forth a verse of your own choosing. Through such mockery, their intent was to imply that the Quran you have been reciting to us is also not revealed from Allah, but rather authored by yourself. Therefore, if there is a delay now, what does it matter? You should have composed and presented some more verses of your liking by now. And if the word 'sign' is taken as a miracle, then the implication would be that, among the tangible miracles we have demanded from you, whichever you prefer, you should ask Allah to show it to us. In response, Allah Almighty said that you should clearly tell them that showing miracles is not my task, nor do I have any authority over miracles. My task is only to follow the revelation that is sent down to me and to invite others to follow it as well. And if you reflect, this Quran itself is a great miracle, in which there are countless enlightening arguments for every seeker of guidance. And since this book leads to success in this world and the Hereafter, therefore, besides being a book of guidance, it is also a great mercy for the people.
[201]
The Accusation of Fabricating the Quran Against You and Its Response:
With this verse, the subject matter changes, and it mentions a demand of the disbelievers and its response. If the word 'sign' in this verse is taken as a verse of the Quran itself, then the implication would be that when there was a delay in the revelation of a Quranic surah or verses, the disbelievers would say that by now you should have brought forth a verse of your own choosing. Through such mockery, their intent was to imply that the Quran you have been reciting to us is also not revealed from Allah, but rather authored by yourself. Therefore, if there is a delay now, what does it matter? You should have composed and presented some more verses of your liking by now. And if the word 'sign' is taken as a miracle, then the implication would be that, among the tangible miracles we have demanded from you, whichever you prefer, you should ask Allah to show it to us. In response, Allah Almighty said that you should clearly tell them that showing miracles is not my task, nor do I have any authority over miracles. My task is only to follow the revelation that is sent down to me and to invite others to follow it as well. And if you reflect, this Quran itself is a great miracle, in which there are countless enlightening arguments for every seeker of guidance. And since this book leads to success in this world and the Hereafter, therefore, besides being a book of guidance, it is also a great mercy for the people.
