Al-Qur'an Surah Hud Verse 17

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Then, can such people be equal to the one who has a clear proof from his Lord, followed by an evidence from within, and before which there was the Book of Mūsā, a guide and a mercy? Such people believe in it; and whoever of the groups denies its veracity, his promised place is the Fire. So, do not be in doubt about it. Surely, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of people do not believe.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

˹Can these people be compared to˺ those ˹believers˺ who stand on clear proof from their Lord, backed by ˹the Quran as˺ a witness from Him, and preceded by the Book of Moses ˹which was revealed˺ as a guide and mercy? It is those ˹believers˺ who have faith in it. But whoever from the ˹disbelieving˺ groups rejects it, the Fire will be their destiny. So do not be in doubt of it. It is certainly the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.

Ruwwad Translation Center

Can they be like those who are upon clear proof from their Lord, backed by a witness [Gabriel] from Him, and before it was the Book of Moses a guide and mercy? Such people believe in it. But whoever of the factions disbelieves in it, the Fire will be their promised end. So have no doubt about it, for it is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.

A. J. Arberry

And what of him who stands upon a clear sign from his Lord, and a witness from Him recites it, and before him is the Book of Moses for an ensample and a mercy? Those believe in it; but whosoever disbelieves in it, being one of the partisans, his promised land is the Fire. So be thou not in doubt of it; it is the truth from thy Lord, but most men do not believe.

Abdul Haleem

Can they be compared to those who have clear proof from their Lord, recited by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses, as a guide and mercy? These people believe in it, whereas those groups that deny its truth are promised the Fire. So have no doubt about it [Prophet]: it is the Truth from your Lord, though most people do not believe so.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Is he like unto him who resteth upon an evidence from His Lord, so and there rehearseth it a witness from Him And before it was the Book of Musa, a pattern and a mercy; these believe therein; and whosoever of the sects disbelieveth therein, the Fire is his promised place. Be then thou not in dubitation thereof, verily it is the truth from thy Lord, yet most of the mankind believe not.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord, and whom a witness from Himself doth teach, as did the Book of Moses before it,- a guide and a mercy? They believe therein; but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. Be not then in doubt thereon; for it is the truth from thy Lord; yet many among men do not believe!

Abul Ala Maududi

Can it happen that he who takes his stand on a clear evidence from his Lord, subsequently followed by a witness from Him (in his support), and prior to that the Book of Moses was revealed as a guide and a mercy, (would even he deny the truth in the manner of those who adore the life of this world)? Rather, such men are bound to believe in it. The Fire shall be the promised resort of the groups that disbelieve. So be in no doubt about it for this indeed is the truth from your Lord although most people do not believe.

Ahmed Ali

Will he who has a clear proof from his Lord, which acts as evidence from Him, before which the Book of Moses was a way-giver and a grace, (not believe in it)? Whoever among the partisans does not believe in it shall have Hell as the promised award. So have no doubt about it, for surely it's the truth from your Lord, though most men may not believe.

Ahmed Raza Khan

So is the one who is upon the clear proof* from his Lord, and comes a witness upon it from Allah, and before it the Book of Moosa, a leader and a mercy; they accept faith in it; and whoever denies it from all the groups, then the fire is promised for him; so O listener, do not have any doubt concerning it; indeed it is the truth from your Lord; but most people do not believe. (* The Jews who accepted faith in the Qur’an.)

Ali Quli Qarai

Is he who stands on a manifest proof from his Lord, and whom a witness of his own [family] follows? And before him there was the Book of Moses, a guide and mercy. It is they who have faith in it, and whoever defies him from among the factions, the Fire is their tryst. So do not be in doubt about it; it is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not have faith.

Ali Ünal

So, (how can you compare others with) one who stands on a clear evidence from his Lord (the Qur’an), and is supported by a witness guided by Him, and there was (revealed) before it the Book of Moses (confirming it) as a guide and mercy? Those (who make and understand the comparison) believe in it (the Qur’an); while whoever from the diverse parties (belonging to different nations and faiths, knowingly) disbelieves in it – the Fire will be their promised place. And so you should not have the least doubt of it (being revealed by God). Surely, it is the truth from your Lord, though most of the people do not believe.

Amatul Rahman Omar

How can he, who stands upon a clear proof from his Lord and (to testify to whose truth) a witness from Him follows him and (to witness whom) he is preceded by the Book of Moses, which was a guide and a mercy, (be an impostor)? Those (who keep in view all these clear proofs from their Lord) believe in him (- this Messenger of God). And whoever of these parties disbelieves in him, the Fire is his promised place. So (O reader!) be you not in doubt about this (Qur´ân). It is indeed the Truth. It is from your Lord, but most people do not believe.

English Literal

Is who was on an evidence from his Lord, and he reads/recites/follows it a witness/testifier from Him, and from before him/it Moses` Book a leader/clear road/an example and a mercy? Those believe with it, and who disbelieves from the groups/parties with Him/it, so the fire (is) his appointment/promise, so do not be in doubt from it, that it is the truth from your Lord, and but most of the people do not believe.

Faridul Haque

So is the one who is upon the clear proof * from his Lord, and comes a witness upon it from Allah, and before it the Book of Moosa, a leader and a mercy; they accept faith in it; and whoever denies it from all the groups, then the fire is promised for him; so O listener, do not have any doubt concerning it; indeed it is the truth from your Lord; but most people do not believe. (* The Jews who accepted faith in the Qur’an.)

Hamid S. Aziz

These are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter save the Fire; and vain is that they made therein, and fruitless what they were doing!

Hilali & Khan

Can they (Muslims) who rely on a clear proof (the Quran) from their Lord, and whom a witness [Prophet Muhammad SAW through Jibrael (Gabriel)] from Him follows it (can they be equal with the disbelievers); and before it, came the Book of Musa (Moses), a guidance and a mercy, they believe therein, but those of the sects (Jews, Christians and all the other non-Muslim nations) that reject it (the Quran), the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. So be not in doubt about it (i.e. those who denied Prophet Muhammad SAW and also denied all that which he brought from Allah, surely, they will enter Hell). Verily, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the mankind believe not.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

These are they for whom there is nothing but Fire in the Hereafter. And what they work therein is fruitless and their deeds are vain.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Is he then who has with him clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him recites it and before it (is) the Book of Musa, a guide and a mercy? These believe in it; and whoever of the (different) parties disbelieves in it, surely it is the truth from your Lord, but most men do not believe.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Is he (to be counted equal with them) who relieth on a clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him reciteth it, and before it was the Book of Moses, an example and a mercy? Such believe therein, and whoso disbelieveth therein of the clans, the Fire is his appointed place. So be not thou in doubt concerning it. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord; but most of mankind believe not.

Muhammad Sarwar

Should they be compared with those whose Lord has given them a guidance which is testified by a witness from among their own people and by the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy. Such people do believe in this guidance (in the Quran). Those who disbelieve (in the Quran) will have hell as their dwelling place. Thus, (Muhammad), have no doubt about it (the Quran). It is certainly the truth from your Lord, yet many people do not have faith.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Then what of he who stands upon a clear proof from his Lord, recited by a witness from Him and before him is the Book of Moses for a guide and a mercy? Those believe in it. But as for those partisans who disbelieve in it, their promised land shall be the Fire. Therefore do not doubt it. It is the truth from your Lord, yet most people do not believe.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Can they who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness from Him recites (follows) it; and before it, came the Book of Musa, a guidance and a mercy, they believe therein, but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place. So be not in doubt about it. Verily, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of mankind believe not.

Wahiduddin Khan

Can they be compared to those who possess a clear proof from their Lord, followed up by a witness from Him, preceded by the Book of Moses, as a guide and a mercy? These people believe in it; whereas those groups that deny its truth are promised the Fire. Therefore, have no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe it.

Talal Itani

Is he who possesses a clear proof from his Lord, recited by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy? These believe in it. But whoever defies it from among the various factions, the Fire is his promise. So have no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.

Tafsir jalalayn

Is he who relies on a clear proof, a clear statement, from his Lord, meaning the Prophet (s), or the believers; it [the proof] being the Qur'n, [a clear proof] which is followed by a witness, to it of its veracity [as being], from Him, that is, from God; he [the witness] being Gabriel, and before it, [before] the Qur'n, was the Book of Moses, the Torah, also a witness to it, as an example and a mercy? (imman wa-rahmatan is a circumstantial qualifier) [is such a person] like one who is not so? No! Those, that is, the ones who rely on a clear proof, they believe in it, that is, in the Qur'n, and so for them will be Paradise; but he who disbelieves in it of the partisans, [namely] all the disbelievers, the Fire shall be his appointed place. So do not be in doubt, in uncertainty, concerning it, concerning the Qur'n. Truly it is the Truth from your Lord, but most of mankind, that is, the people of Mecca, do not believe.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The One Who believes in the Qur'an is upon Clear Proof from His Lord

Allah, the Exalted says,

أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ

Can they who rely on a clear proof from their Lord,

Allah, the Exalted, informs of the condition of the believers who are upon the natural religion of Allah, which He made inherent in His creatures. This is based upon their confession to Him that there is none worthy of worship except He.

This is similar to Allah's statement,

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفاً فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

So set you your face towards the religion, Hanifan. Allah's Fitrah with which He has created mankind. (30;30),

In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ كَمَا تُولَدُ الْبَهِيمَةُ بَهِيمَةً جَمْعَاءَ هَلْ تُحِسُّونَ فِيهَا مِنْ جَدْعَاءَ



Every child is born upon the Fitrah, but his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian. This is just as the calf that is born whole. Have you noticed any calves that are born mutilated?

In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that Iyad bin Himar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

يَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَى

إِنِّي خَلَقْتُ عِبَادِي حُنَفَاءَ فَجَاءَتْهُمُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فَاجْتَالَتْهُمْ عَنْ دِينهِمْ وَحَرَّمَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَا أَحْلَلْتُ لَهُمْ وَأَمَرَتْهُمْ أَنْ يُشْرِكُوا بِي مَا لَمْ أُنْزِلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا

Allah, the Exalted, says,

`Verily, I created my servants Hunafa', but the devils came to them and distracted them from their religion. They made unlawful for them what I had made lawful for them and they commanded them to associate partners with Me, concerning which no authority has been revealed.

Therefore, the believer is one who remains upon this Fitrah.

Concerning Allah's statement,

وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ

and whom a witness from Him recites (follows) it;

This means that a witness comes to him from Allah. That witness is the pure, perfect and magnificent legislation that Allah revealed to the Prophets. These legislations were finalized with the legislation (Shariah) of Muhammad. The believer has the natural disposition that bears witness to (the truth of) the general legislation, and accepts that specific laws are taken from the general legislation. The Fitrah accepts the Shariah and believes in it.

For this reason Allah, the Exalted, says,
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ
(Can they who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness from Him recites (follows) it);

This clear proof which is recited is the Qur'an, which Jibril conveyed to the Prophet and the Prophet Muhammad conveyed it to his Ummah.

Then Allah says,

وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَى

and before it, came the Book of Musa,

This means that before the Qur'an, there was the Book of Musa, the Tawrah.

إَمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً

a guidance and a mercy,

This means that Allah, the Exalted, revealed it to that Ummah as a leader for them and a guide for them to follow, as a mercy from Allah upon them. Therefore, whoever believed in it with true faith, then it would lead him to believe in the Qur'an as well.

For this reason Allah said,

أُوْلَـيِكَ يُوْمِنُونَ بِهِ

they believe therein.

Then Allah, the Exalted, threatens those who reject the Qur'an, or any part of it, by saying,

وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الَاحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ

but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place.

This is directed towards everyone on the face of the earth who disbelieves in the Qur'an, whether they are idolators, disbelievers, People of the Scripture, or other sects from the descendants of Adam. This applies to all whom the Qur'an reaches, regardless of their differences in color, appearance, or nationality.

As Allah says,

لااٌّنذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَن بَلَغَ

that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach. (6;19)

Allah, the Exalted, said,

قُلْ يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا

Say;"O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah."

Allah says,
وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الَاحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ
(but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place).

In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said,

وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَاا يَسْمَعُ بِي أَحَدٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الاْاُمَّةِ يَهُودِيٌّ أَوْ نَصْرَانِيٌّ ثُمَّ لَاا يُوْمِنُ بِي إِلاَّ دَخَلَ النَّار

By He in Whose Hand is my soul! there is no one of this Ummah, whether he be a Jew or Christian, who hears of me and does not believe in me, except that he will enter the Hell- fire.
Every Hadith is confirmed by the Qur'an

Ayub As-Sakhtiyani reported from Sa`id bin Jubayr that he said,

"I did not hear any Hadith of the Prophet, substantiated as he stated it, except that I found its confirmation in the Qur'an.

The narrator said, "Or he said, `I found its verification in the Qur'an."'

Thus, it reached me that the Prophet said,

لَاا يَسْمَعُ بِي أَحَدٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الاْاُمَّةِ يَهُودِيٌّ وَلَاا نَصْرَانِيٌّ ثُمَّ لَاا يُوْمِنُ بِي إِلاَّ دَخَلَ النَّار

There is no one of this Ummah, whether he be a Jew or Christian, who hears of me and does not believe in me, except that he will enter the Hellfire.

Therefore, I said, `Where is its verification in the Book of Allah? Most of what I have heard reported from the Messenger of Allah, I have found its verification in the Qur'an.'

Then I found this verse,
وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الَاحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ
(but those of the sects that reject it (the Qur'an), the Fire will be their promised meeting place). And this means from all religions."

Then Allah says,

فَلَ تَكُ فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ

So be not in doubt about it. Verily, it is the truth from your Lord,

This means that the Qur'an is the truth from Allah and there is no doubt or suspicion concerning it.

This is as Allah says,

الم


تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Alif Lam Mim. The revelations of the Book in which there is no doubt, is from the Lord of all that exists! (32;1-2)

Allah, the Exalted, says,

ا
لم


ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ
Alif Lam Mim. This is the Book in which there is no doubt. (2;1-2)

The Ayah;

وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُوْمِنُونَ



but most of mankind believe not.

is similar to Allah's statement,

وَمَأ أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُوْمِنِينَ

And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly. (12;103)

Likewise, Allah says,

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path.

Allah also says,

وَلَقَدْ صَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِبْلِيسُ ظَنَّهُ فَاتَّبَعُوهُ إِلاَّ فَرِيقاً مِّنَ الْمُوْمِنِينَ

And indeed Iblis did prove true his thought about them;and they followed him, all except a group of true believers. (34;20)