Quran-84:21 Surah Al-inshiqaq English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ لَا يَسۡجُدُونَۤ۩

Transliteration:( Wa izaa quri'a 'alaihimul Quraanu laa yasjudoon (make sajda) )

21. And when the Qur'an is recited to them they do not prostrate [16]. (He who recites or listens to this verb must perform Sajdah-e-Tilawat) (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(21) And when the Qur’ān is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allāh]? (Saheen International Translation)

Surah Al-Inshiqaq Ayat 21 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

📖 And when the Qur'an is recited to them, they do not prostrate [21]

🔹 Reason for its Revelation:
Once, the Holy Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Al-Alaq. He and all of the Companions performed Sajdah e Tilawat (prostration of recitation). However, the polytheists who were present at that time remained sitting as they were. In response to this, Allah Almighty revealed this verse.

✅ Two Important Issues Derived from This:

1️⃣ Sajdah e Tilawat is Obligatory:

  • According to the Hanafi School, Sajdah e Tilawat is obligatory (Fard) and not just Sunnah because one is censured for omitting an obligatory act.

2️⃣ Acts of Worship Are Obligatory Upon Disbelievers Too:

  • They are commanded to accept Islam and perform acts of worship.
  • They will be punished not only for their disbelief but also for neglecting worship, as Allah Almighty censured them for not offering Sajdah e Tilawat.

Ibn-Kathir

The tafsir of Surah Inshiqaq verse 21 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Inshiqaq ayat 16 which provides the complete commentary from verse 16 through 25.


Ala-Maududi

(84:21) and when the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate[12] themselves?


12. They do not fall prostrate: they do not bow down to God out of fear of Him. To perform a sajdah (prostration) here is confirmed by the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). lmam Malik, Muslim and Nasai have related a tradition concerning Abu Huraira saying that he recited this Surah in the Prayer and performing a sajdah here and said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed a sajdah at this point. Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud and Nasai have cited this statement of Abu Rafi: Abu Huraira recited this Surah in the Isha Prayer and performed a sajdah. When I asked why he had done so, he replied: I prayed under the leadership of Abul Qasim (peace be upon him) and he performed a sajdah here. Therefore, I will continue to perform this sajdah likewise as long as I live. Muslim, Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Majah and others have related another tradition saying that Abu Huraira said: We performed sajdah behind the Messenger (peace be upon him) of Allah in this Surah and in Iqra bi-ismi Rabbikalladhi khalaq.

(21) And when the Qur’ān is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allāh]?

Surah Al-Inshiqaq All Ayat (Verses)

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