For those who continue to seek another deity, Allah responds in Al-Qurʾān and tell them in clear words that He is the Only Lord of everything that exists, then why they seek someone other than Allah as their Lord. This is the message conveyed to the mankind in the 164th verse of 6th Chapter of Al-Qurʾān: Surah An‘ām being shared and explained herein under:
قُلۡ اَغَيۡرَ اللّٰهِ اَبۡغِىۡ رَبًّا وَّهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ ؕ وَلَا تَكۡسِبُ كُلُّ نَـفۡسٍ اِلَّا عَلَيۡهَاۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِّزۡرَ اُخۡرٰى ۚ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكُمۡ مَّرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمۡ بِمَا كُنۡـتُمۡ فِيۡهِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ
(6:164) Say: 'Shall I seek someone other than Allah as Lord when He is the Lord of everything?' Everyone will bear the consequence of what he does, and no one shall bear the burden of another. Thereafter, your return will be to your Lord, whereupon He will let you know what you disagreed about.
Since God is the Lord of the entire universe, how could anyone be His lord? Since the entire universe is yoked to obedience to God, man is an integral part of the universe, how can he reasonably, look for another lord in that area of his life in which he uses his own volition and making a judgement? Is it appropriate for him to move in diametrical opposition to the entire universe? It is for those who differ whether God is one or more, it is reminded to them that “Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you of what you used to differ in.”
Explanation of the Verse
- The Context: This verse appears in Surah Al-An‘ām where Allah denies the notion that anyone other than Him can be the Lord and reminds people that every soul is responsible for its own deeds. No one bears the burden of another. Finally, we are told that everyone will return to Allah, who will judge us and clarify what we used to differ in.
- Key Meanings:
- Return to Allah: Every human being will be raised after death and brought before Allah.
- Divine Accounting: Allah will make clear all matters over which people differed—whether beliefs, disputes, or disagreements regarding truth and behavior.
- Ultimate Justice: The final verdict will be clear and fair, based on justice that only Allah can administer.
Complementary Verses with Similar Warnings
The message is echoed throughout the Qur’an:
- Surah At‑Tawbah (9:105): “Say, ‘Do [as you will]… and you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, then He will inform you of what you used to do.’”
- Surah Az‑Zumar (39:7): “Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you of what you used to do…”
- Surah Al-An‘ām (6:60): “…then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.”
These verses reinforce the same overarching principle: every action and belief has significance, Allah alone will judge, and He will make everything clear.
Timeless Lessons for Today
- Personal Accountability: Every soul will be held fully accountable for its own deeds—no one else’s. Your life’s choices and beliefs will be individually assessed.
- Awareness in Dispute: Our disagreements—whether about religion, ethics, or worldly matters—are not negligible. Allah will clarify what was right and wrong in our disputes.
- Promotion of Justice and Truth: The promise of divine accounting motivates ethical behavior today. It encourages us to act honestly, avoid causing injustice, and seek truth sincerely.
- Comfort and Warning: For the righteous, this is reassuring; for the wrongdoer, it’s a warning. Knowing that Allah will reveal all hidden intentions compels sincerity and heart-based integrity.
Summary Table
- Verse Source Surah Al-An‘ām (6:164), also echoed in Qur’an 9:105, 39:7, 6:60
- Central Message: Return to Allah → His judgment → He will tell you what you used to do
- Modern Relevance: Encourages truth, accountability, justice, and moral growth
This message reminds humanity that life is purposeful, transparently recorded, and divinely judged. If despite all clear signs and the powerlessness of human even to make the thin covering over the date seed, one clings to his confusion as to who the real Lord is, then he certainly is at loss.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from Surah 6 Al-An'am (The Cattle) for verses from this Surah.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs, and Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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