This is the theme of the verse Surah An-Naḥl (16:20), being shared today and explained by some of the eminent scholars of Islam and exegetes of Al Qur'an. We will present the context, meaning and relevance to mankind.
The Verse
وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ
"Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing; rather, they themselves are created."
This verse is one of the Qur'an's clearest affirmations of Tawḥīd (the Oneness of Allah). It follows a passage (16:17–21) in which Allah presents a simple but profound argument: only the Creator deserves worship, not anything that is itself created.
The Context
The surrounding verses form a logical sequence:
16:17 — "Is He who creates like one who does not create"
16:18 — Human beings cannot even count Allah's blessings.
16:19 — Allah knows what people conceal and reveal.
16:20 — Those worshipped besides Allah create nothing.
16:21 — They are dead (or without independent life) and do not know when they themselves will be resurrected.
16:22 — Therefore, your God is One God.
The argument progresses from creation, to blessings, to knowledge, and finally to the exclusive right of Allah to be worshipped.
(You may like to refer to our earlier posts on the subject of Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: | Faith in Allah | Tawhid |
Why was there a need to say this?
The first audience of the Qur'an included people who worshipped idols made of stone, wood, or metal. They believed these idols, or the beings they represented, could bring them closer to Allah or intercede on their behalf. The Qur'an challenges this belief with a straightforward question:
"Can something that did not create itself, and cannot create anything else, truly deserve worship?"
The verse reminds people that every created being is dependent, limited, needy, and mortal. Only the Creator is independent and worthy of worship.
Explanation of the verse by eminent scholars / exegets
1. Ibn Kathir's Explanation
- Ibn Kathir explains that the verse exposes the helplessness of false deities.
- For the false deities (1) cannot create even the smallest thing, (2) cannot benefit themselves, (3) cannot repel harm, and are themselves created by Allah.
Whether the object of worship is an idol, an angel, a prophet, or a righteous person, none possesses independent divine power. Worship belongs to Allah alone.
2. Maududi's Explanation
Maududi emphasizes that this verse establishes the fundamental distinction between the Creator and the created. Every created being, however great, is dependent upon Allah. To direct acts of worship toward any created being is irrational because worship rightly belongs to the One who created all things and sustains them.
3. Yusuf Ali's Reflection
Yusuf Ali notes that humans often elevate created things above their true station. People may: deify rulers, idolize wealth, glorify saints, or place ultimate trust in worldly powers. But The Qur'an redirects attention to Allah, the sole Creator and Sustainer.
4. Javed Ahmad Ghamidi's Explanation
Ghamidi points out that the verse appeals to human reason.
- The One who creates deserves gratitude, obedience, and worship.
- A being that is itself created has no independent claim to divinity.
Thus, the verse is not merely a theological statement but a rational argument.
How does this relate to people today?
Although stone idols still exist in some parts of the world, the principle of the verse extends much further. Throughout history, some people have directed acts of worship toward:
- deceased saints,
- revered religious figures,
- ancestors,
- kings or rulers,
- spiritual masters,
- celestial bodies,
- even living individuals regarded as possessing divine or semi-divine status.
However, the Qur'an's principle remains the same: "No created being shares Allah's divinity or deserves acts of worship."
How to distinguish between Respect and Worship
At the same time, it is important to distinguish between respect and worship. Islam encourages honoring prophets, righteous people, parents, and scholars, but it forbids directing acts of worship to them.
Acts of worship include:
- supplicating to them as if they independently hear and answer prayers,
- sacrificing in their name as an act of devotion,
- seeking forgiveness from them,
- believing they possess independent control over unseen events or divine powers.
The Qur'an consistently teaches that ultimate help, forgiveness, and reliance belong to Allah alone.
Verse 16:21 strengthens the argument by saying: "They are dead, not alive, and they do not know when they will be resurrected." (16:21)
The Qur'an underscores that those who are worshipped besides Allah—even if they were once honored human beings—remain Allah's servants and do not possess divine attributes. Thus worshipping any other deity than Allah is tantamount to Shirk - the unforgivable sin in Islam.
How can we avoid shirk?
The Qur'an and Sunnah teach several practical safeguards:
1. Know Allah through His Names and Attributes The better one understands Allah's uniqueness, power, knowledge, and mercy, the less likely one is to attribute divine qualities to creation.
2. Direct every act of worship to Allah alone The Qur'an repeatedly says: "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help." (1:5) - This establishes exclusive devotion to Allah.
(Please refer to our earlier post: A small verse that is Spinal Cord of Al Qur’an based on Surah 1 Al Fatiha verse 5 mentioned above to understand the exclusive devotion to Allah.)
3. Love righteous people without elevating them
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary. I am only a servant, so say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger." (Authentically reported in Sahih al-Bukhari)
This teaches that even the Prophet ﷺ should not be elevated beyond the status Allah gave him.
4. Base beliefs on the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah Practices inherited from culture or tradition should always be measured against revelation.
5. Make the Qur'anic supplication for steadfastness The Qur'an records the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim:
"Keep me and my children away from worshipping idols." (14:35)
Even a prophet asked Allah for protection from shirk, teaching believers to remain humble and vigilant.
A Reflection
Surah An-Naḥl 16:20 presents a timeless criterion for worship: only the One who creates deserves to be worshipped. Every other being—whether an idol, a prophet, an angel, a saint, a ruler, or any admired person—is created, dependent, and in need of Allah. The verse calls people to examine whom they rely upon with ultimate devotion and reminds them that reverence must never become worship. By grounding our beliefs in the Qur'an, following the authentic Sunnah, and directing all prayer, hope, fear, and ultimate reliance to Allah alone, we preserve the purity of Tawḥīd and protect ourselves from every form of shirk.
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.
You may refer to our reference page Selected verses from Surah 16. An Nahl for more selected verses from this surah already published.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages:
- Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
- Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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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