Surah Hud Ayat 31 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 31
And I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allah or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel, nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allah will never grant them any good. Allah is most knowing of what is within their souls. Indeed, I would then be among the wrongdoers.”
“I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”
I do not say to you that I possess Allah’s treasures, nor that I have access to the realm beyond the ken of sense-perception, nor do I claim to be an angel. Nor do I say regarding those whom you look upon with disdain that Allah will not bestow any good upon them. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. Were I to say so I would be one of the wrongdoers.’
“And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah, “Nor that I know the Ghaib (unseen); “nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in their inner-selves (as regards belief, etc.). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zalimun (wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.).”
I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah” nor “I have knowledge of the Unseen,” nor say I: “Lo! I am an angel!” Nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good – Allah knoweth best what is in their hearts – Lo! then indeed I should be of the wrong-doers.
And I do not say to you, I have in my presence the treasuries of Allah; and I do not know the Unseen; and I do not say surely I am an angel. Nor do I say to the ones your eyes despise, (that) Allah will never bring them any charity. Allah knows best whatever is in their selves. Surely, (in case I do that) I am indeed of the unjust.”
I am not telling you that I hold God’s treasures, or have any knowledge of what is hidden, or that I am an angel. Nor do I say that God will not grant any good to those who are despised in your eyes: God Himself knows best what is in their souls. If I did this I would be one of the wrongdoers.’
میں تم سے نہیں کہتا کہ میرے پاس اللہ کے خزانے ہیں، (سنو!) میں غیب کا علم بھی نہیں رکھتا، نہ میں یہ کہتا ہوں کہ میں کوئی فرشتہ ہوں، نہ میرا یہ قول ہے کہ جن پر تمہاری نگاہیں ذلت سے پڑ رہی ہیں انہیں اللہ تعالیٰ کوئی نعمت دے گا ہی نہیں، ان کے دل میں جو ہے اسے اللہ ہی خوب جانتا ہے، اگر میں ایسی بات کہوں تو یقیناً میرا شمار ﻇالموں میں ہو جائے گا
Quran 11 Verse 31 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Hud ayat 31, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(11:31) I do not say to you that I possess Allah’s treasures, nor that I have access to the realm beyond the ken of sense-perception, nor do I claim to be an angel.[37] Nor do I say regarding those whom you look upon with disdain that Allah will not bestow any good upon them. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. Were I to say so I would be one of the wrongdoers.’
37. This is the answer to their objection that he was no more than a man like themselves. Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) admitted this: In fact I am a man and I never claimed to be more than this. My only claim is that God has shown me the right way of knowledge and action and you are welcome to test this in any way you like. But instead of this, you are asking me questions about the Unseen, though I never claimed to have its knowledge. You ask me to produce such things as can be produced only by that person who possesses God’s treasures and I never claimed to possess them. You object that my physical life is like that of other men, though I never claimed that I was an angel and not a man. The true test of my claim is that you should ask me about the true creeds, the principles of morality and culture and not about frivolous things about the future events for I never claimed to possess their knowledge.
Ibn-Kathir
31. And I do not say to you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor that I know the Ghayb; nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in their inner selves. In that case, I should, indeed be one of the wrongdoers.) Nuh is informing them that he is a Messenger from Allah, calling to the worship of Allah alone, without any partners and he is doing this by the permission of Allah. At the same time, he is not asking them for any reward for this work. He invites whomever he meets, whether of nobility or low class. Therefore, whoever responds favorably, then he has achieved salvation. He also explains that he has no power to manipulate the hidden treasures of Allah, nor does he have any knowledge of the Unseen, except what Allah has allowed him to know. Likewise, he is not an angel, rather, he is merely a human Messenger aided with miracles. Nuh goes on to say, “I do not say about these people whom you (disbelievers) detest and look down upon, that Allah will not reward them for their deeds. Allah knows best what is in their souls. If they are believers in their hearts, as their condition appears to be outwardly, then they will have a good reward. If anyone behaves evilly with them after they have believed, then he is a wrongdoer who speaks what he has no knowledge of.
There is no further commentary on this verse by Ibn Kathir
Quick navigation links
