Surah Al-Anbiya' 21:42
ﲏ ﲐ ﲑ ﲒ ﲓ ﲔ ﲕ ﲖ ﲗ ﲘ ﲙ ﲚ ﲛ ﲜ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
Tafsir of Al-Anbiya' 21:42
Tafsir
Al-Kashshaf
Verse range: 21:42
Al-Anbiya: 42
{By the Most Merciful} Meaning: From His might and His punishment.
{But they are} Turning away from His remembrance; it does not cross their minds, let alone that they should fear His might. Only when they are provided with protection (kila'ah) from Him do they recognize the Protector (al-kali'), and only then are they fit to be asked about Him.
The intent is that He commanded His Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—to ask them about the Protector, then He clarified that they are not fit for that because of their turning away from the remembrance of the One who protects them.
{Or do they have gods who defend them against Us? They are unable to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.}