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Al-Anbiya'

Surah 21 · 112 verses
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21

أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ

Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?

Tafsir

Everything belongs to Allah and serves Him

﴿ وَلَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ عِندَهُ ۥ ﴾

(To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him) i.e., the angels,

﴿ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ ﴾

(are not too proud to worship Him,) they do not feel proud and do not refuse to worship Him. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ لَّن يَسۡتَنكِفَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبۡدً۬ا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ‌ۚ وَمَن يَسۡتَنكِفۡ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَڪۡبِرۡ فَسَيَحۡشُرُهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ جَمِيعً۬ا ﴾

(Al-Masih will never be proud to reject being a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near. And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.) (4:172)

﴿ وَلَا يَسۡتَحۡسِرُونَ ﴾

(nor are they weary.) means, they do not get tired or feel bored.

﴿ يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ لَا يَفۡتُرُونَ ﴾

(They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.) They persist in their worship night and day, obeying Allah to the utmost, and they are able to do this, as Allah says:

﴿ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(Who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded) (66:6)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ • لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ • لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(21. Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who raise the dead) (22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!) (23. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.)

22

لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

Tafsir

Everything belongs to Allah and serves Him

﴿ وَلَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ عِندَهُ ۥ ﴾

(To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him) i.e., the angels,

﴿ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ ﴾

(are not too proud to worship Him,) they do not feel proud and do not refuse to worship Him. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ لَّن يَسۡتَنكِفَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبۡدً۬ا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ‌ۚ وَمَن يَسۡتَنكِفۡ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَڪۡبِرۡ فَسَيَحۡشُرُهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ جَمِيعً۬ا ﴾

(Al-Masih will never be proud to reject being a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near. And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.) (4:172)

﴿ وَلَا يَسۡتَحۡسِرُونَ ﴾

(nor are they weary.) means, they do not get tired or feel bored.

﴿ يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ لَا يَفۡتُرُونَ ﴾

(They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.) They persist in their worship night and day, obeying Allah to the utmost, and they are able to do this, as Allah says:

﴿ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(Who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded) (66:6)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ • لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ • لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(21. Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who raise the dead) (22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!) (23. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.)

23

لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ

He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.

Tafsir

Everything belongs to Allah and serves Him

﴿ وَلَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ عِندَهُ ۥ ﴾

(To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him) i.e., the angels,

﴿ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ ﴾

(are not too proud to worship Him,) they do not feel proud and do not refuse to worship Him. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ لَّن يَسۡتَنكِفَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبۡدً۬ا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ‌ۚ وَمَن يَسۡتَنكِفۡ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَڪۡبِرۡ فَسَيَحۡشُرُهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ جَمِيعً۬ا ﴾

(Al-Masih will never be proud to reject being a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near. And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.) (4:172)

﴿ وَلَا يَسۡتَحۡسِرُونَ ﴾

(nor are they weary.) means, they do not get tired or feel bored.

﴿ يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ لَا يَفۡتُرُونَ ﴾

(They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.) They persist in their worship night and day, obeying Allah to the utmost, and they are able to do this, as Allah says:

﴿ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ ﴾

(Who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded) (66:6)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ • لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ • لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(21. Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who raise the dead) (22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!) (23. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.)

24

أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ

Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], “Produce your proof. This [Qur’an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me.” But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

25

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ

And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, “There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.”

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

26

وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ

And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken a son.” Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

27

لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ

They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

28

يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ

He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

29

۞ وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

And whoever of them should say, “Indeed, I am a god besides Him”— that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.

Tafsir

Refutation of false gods

Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَالِهَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هُمۡ يُنشِرُونَ ﴾

(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:

﴿ لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ ﴾

(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,

﴿ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ ﴾

(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿ مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ‌ۚ إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) (23:91). And Allah says here:

﴿ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ﴾

(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.

﴿ لَا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفۡعَلُ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.

﴿ وَهُمۡ يُسۡـَٔلُونَ ﴾

(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:

﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ • عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) (15:92-93)

﴿ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ ﴾

(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) (23:88)

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ فَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ • وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.'' But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.'')

﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬‌ۖ قُلۡ ﴾

(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --

﴿ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ‌ۖ ﴾

(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.

﴿ هَـٰذَا ذِكۡرُ مَن مَّعِىَ ﴾

(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur'an.

﴿ وَذِكۡرُ مَن قَبۡلِى‌ۗ ﴾

(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:

﴿ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..'') This is like the Ayat:

﴿ وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ءَالِهَةً۬ يُعۡبَدُونَ ﴾

(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious'') (43:45)

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36) Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.

﴿ وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدً۬ا‌ۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ • لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ • يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.'' Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'' such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

30

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ ڪَانَتَا رَتۡقً۬ا فَفَتَقۡنَـٰهُمَا‌ۖ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ‌ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?

Tafsir

The Refutation of Those Who claim that the Angels are the Daughters of Allah; description of their Deeds and Status

Here Allah refutes those who claim that He has offspring among the angels -- exalted and sanctified be He. Some of the Arabs believed that the angels were the daughters of Allah, but Allah says:

﴿ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ بَلۡ عِبَادٌ۬ مُّكۡرَمُونَ ﴾

(Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) meaning, the angels are servants of Allah who are honored by Him and who hold high positions of noble status. They obey Him to the utmost in all their words and deeds.

﴿ لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

(They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) meaning, they do not initiate any matter before Him or go against His commands; on the contrary, they hasten to do as He commands, and He encompasses them with His knowledge so that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.

﴿ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ ﴾

(He knows what is before them, and what is behind them,)

﴿ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ ﴾

(and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.) This is like the Ayat:

﴿ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ ﴾

(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission) (2:255)

﴿ وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ عِندَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا لِمَنۡ أَذِنَ لَهُۚ ۥ ﴾

(Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits) (34:23). There are many Ayat which say similar things.

﴿ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ ﴾

(And they for fear of Him) means, because they fear Him.

﴿ مُشۡفِقُونَ • وَمَن يَقُلۡ مِنۡہُمۡ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ مِّن دُونِهِۦ ﴾

(And they stand in awe. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,'') meaning, whoever claims to be a god instead of Allah, i.e., alongside Allah,

﴿ فَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴾

(such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.) meaning, everyone who says this. This is a conditional sentence, and the condition stated does not necessarily have to take place. This is like the Ayat:

﴿ قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ۬ فَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَـٰبِدِينَ ﴾

(Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of worshippers.'') (43:81)

﴿ لَٮِٕنۡ أَشۡرَكۡتَ لَيَحۡبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ ﴾

(If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely, (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.) (39:65)

﴿ أَوَلَمۡ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ ڪَانَتَا رَتۡقً۬ا فَفَتَقۡنَـٰهُمَا‌ۖ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ‌ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ • وَجَعَلۡنَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَوَٲسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمۡ وَجَعَلۡنَا فِيہَا فِجَاجً۬ا سُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَہۡتَدُونَ • وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ سَقۡفً۬ا مَّحۡفُوظً۬ا‌ۖ وَهُمۡ عَنۡ ءَايَـٰتِہَا مُعۡرِضُونَ • وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ‌ۖ كُلٌّ۬ فِى فَلَكٍ۬ يَسۡبَحُونَ ﴾

(30. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe) (31. And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided.) (32. And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well-guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs). (33. And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.)