Tafsir of Hud 11:57

Surah Hud (11): Verse 57

{فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّا أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّي قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُ شَيْئًا إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ}

Translation and Exegesis (Tafsir):

{فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا} (But if you turn away)

There are two interpretations regarding this phrase:

1. Implied meaning: The statement implies, "If you turn away, then I am not to be blamed for any shortcoming in delivering the message, and you remain veiled [from the truth]." It is as if the Prophet (peace be upon him) is saying: You are the ones who insisted upon disbelief.
2. Direct meaning: {But if you turn away, then I have already conveyed to you that which I was sent with to you.}

{وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّي قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ} (and my Lord will replace you with another people)

This means that Allah will create others after you who are more obedient to Him than you are. This is an indication that the punishment of complete annihilation will descend upon them.

{وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُ شَيْئًا} (and you will not harm Him at all)

This means that your destruction (or disbelief) does not diminish His dominion in the slightest.

{إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ} (Indeed, my Lord is a Guardian over all things.)

There are three interpretations for the meaning of Ḥafīẓ (Guardian/Keeper):

1. He is the Keeper of the deeds of His servants, so that He may recompense them accordingly.
2. He preserves me (the Messenger) from your evil and your plotting.
3. He is the Keeper over everything; He preserves it from destruction if He wills, and destroys it if He wills.

Surah Hud (11): Verses 58–63

{وَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا هُودًا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَنَجَّيْنَاهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ * وَتِلْكَ عَادٌ أَجْحَدُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا رُسُلَهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا أَمْرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ * وَأُتْبِعُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُودٍ}

Translation:

{And when Our command came, We saved Hūd and those who believed with him, by a Mercy from Us, and We saved them from a severe punishment.}

{And that was 'Ād. They denied the signs of their Lord and disobeyed His messengers and followed the command of every obstinate tyrant.}

{And they were made to follow in this world a curse, and on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, 'Ād disbelieved in their Lord. Unquestionably, far removed from mercy is 'Ād, the people of Hūd.}