One of Qur'an's clearest affirmations of the Oneness of Allah (Tawḥīd) - A timeless criterion that no created being shares His divinity

When it comes to theology, one must understand the distinguish difference between respect and worship. Islam encourages honoring prophets, righteous people, parents, and scholars, but it forbids directing acts of worship to them. This is the foundational concept of Islam that serves as timeless criterion that no created being shares divinity with one true God. All forms of worship are to be addressed to Him alone and no one else other than God, for others are created beings who on their on are nothing compared to their Creator.

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.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Al Qur'an quotes an excellent example of Prophet Abraham (Ibrāhīm) rejecting Idolatry

Idolatry is one of the oldest form of worship in the history of mankind - that is worshiping anyone or anything besides Allah, whether in belief, prayer, obedience, or devotion. All Divine religions were therefore introduced to guide man to the right path and worship none but Allah, the One True God - the sole Lord of the universe. Yet man continue to worship idols even till date. This act is the most detested by the Lord of the universe. The Qur’an calls it shirk (associating partners with Allah).

Prophet Abraham  ( Ibrāhīm عليه السلام), who is considered to be the father of all prophets, was in the forefront to stand against idolatry and even confronted his father who was an ardent idol worshipper. Al Qur'an quotes an excellent account of the Abrahamic response to idolatry in the 4th verse quoted in Surah Al-Mumtaḥanah - الممتحنة (meaning She That is to be Examined), the 6oth Surah /chapter of the Al Qur'an. 

 The Verse (60:4)

“Indeed, there is for you an excellent example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Indeed, we are free from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah; we have rejected you, and there has appeared between us and you hostility and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone’ — except for the saying of Abraham to his father: ‘I will surely ask forgiveness for you, though I do not have power to do for you anything against Allah.’ Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”

Let us understand the verse in some detail. However those interested to the detailed exegesis / explanation of the verse may refer to our earlier post: Sūrah Al-Mumtaḥanah - The Woman to be Questioned: Exegesis / Tafsir 60th Chapter of Qur'an

Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)

This verse is in Surah al-Mumtaḥanah (60), revealed in Madinah. At that time, Muslims were in a delicate situation: some had family ties with Quraysh idolaters who were at war with the Muslims. The verse uses the story of Ibrahim (Abraham) and his people as a model: he rejected idolatry firmly, even though his own father and community were idolaters.

The verse teaches Muslims that loyalty to faith must be stronger than tribal or family loyalty if those ties oppose Islam.

Key Lessons

• Loyalty to Allah Comes First: Just as Ibrahim rejected shirk (idolatry) despite it being his people’s tradition, Muslims must prioritize their loyalty to Allah over cultural, social, or political ties.
• Separation from Shirk, Not Necessarily from People: 
• The verse condemns idolatry (shirk), not every interaction with idolaters.
• The Qur’an elsewhere commands kindness and justice to non-Muslims who are peaceful: “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes — from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (60:8)
• So, the balance is: reject shirk, but deal justly and kindly with non-hostile people.
• Limits of Intercession
• Ibrahim asked forgiveness for his father (who died upon shirk), but Allah later clarified it was not permissible (9:113).
• This shows love for family does not override loyalty to faith.

Supporting Verses

This is not the only verse about shirk in Qur'an for Allah has warned man time and again to desist from idolatry and worship none but He, foe He is the only sustainer of all living beings. Some verses are mentioned in our exclusive reference page on collection of posts on Shirk. Please refer to for more verses to know what shirk is and why should man reject idolater.

Today’s Application

• Should idolaters be treated the same way as in Ibrahim’s time? 
• No — because context matters.
• In Ibrahim’s and the Prophet ﷺ’s time, idolaters were actively opposing and persecuting believers.
• Today, if idolaters or non-Muslims live peacefully, the Qur’an instructs Muslims to show kindness, fairness, and good character.
• What remains timeless is hatred of shirk, not hatred of people.

In summary: Verse 60:4 teaches unwavering rejection of shirk and prioritizing loyalty to Allah, as exemplified by Ibrahim. But it does not justify mistreating non-Muslims today. Instead, it demands a balance: firmness in faith + justice and kindness in human relations.

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.

For more posts on the subject of shirk, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: 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.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Al Qur'an: The parable of the beautiful yet fragile cobweb and those who make fragile foundation of their faith based on shirk

Al Qur'an, though revealed in the Arabic language, is much easy to understand for its ayat / verses are straight forward and spelt out clearly for everyone to understand the Divine message. Yet at places stories of the past nations are presented as co-reference and correlation. At places parables are mentioned for man likes fiction more than Divine language.

The 41st verse of Al-‘Ankabūt (The Spider) is one of the parables mentioned in Al Qur'an equating the beautiful and intricate spider web, which though seems beautiful, yet is so fragile that it can fragment with little touch of the blowing air, with those who lay the foundation of their faith on shirk - a building so fragile that can crumble with a whisper of the Lord of the universe.

Let us examine the 41st verse of Surah Al-‘Ankabūt with reference to the context and its relevance and correlation to our life today.

The Verse:

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًۭا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ ٱلْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

"The example of those who take allies besides Allah is like that of the spider who builds a house; and indeed, the frailest of houses is the house of the spider — if only they knew."

Context & Link to Preceding Verses

In the previous verses, that is verses 39-40, mention of the past nations (Qārūn, Pharaoh, Hāmān, and others) is made which were destroyed for their arrogance and rejection of Allah’s message. They considered their deities to be stronger than the soul Lord of the world and hinged their faith on them for their protection against any disaster. These verses show that no amount of worldly power or false support can protect a person from Allah’s punishment.

Herein under are the verses 36-40 for correlation to verse 41:

(29:36) And We sent to Midian their brother Shuayb. He said: “My people, serve Allah and look forward to the Last Day and do not go about the earth committing mischief.” (29:37) But they denounced him as a liar. So a mighty earthquake overtook them, and by the morning they lay overturned in their houses.

(29:38) And We destroyed Ad and Thamud, whose dwellings you have observed. Satan had embellished their deeds for them and had turned them away from the Right Path although they were a people of clear perception. (29:39) And We destroyed Qarun (Korah) and Pharaoh and Haman. Moses came to them with Clear Signs but they waxed arrogant in the land although they could not have outstripped (Us).

(29:40) So We seized each for their sin. We let loose upon some a violent tornado with showers of stones; some were overtaken by a mighty Cry;69 some were caused to be swallowed up by the earth,70 and some We drowned. Allah would not wrong them, but it is they who wronged themselves.

Verse 41, thus, comes as a parable: those who seek protection, blessings, or salvation from anyone other than Allah — be it idols, spirits, saints, or any creation — are like someone seeking shelter in a spider’s web: appearing like a home, but fragile and useless in real danger.

Meaning of the Spider Parable

• A spider’s web may look intricate and beautiful but is weak and cannot shield its resident from harm.
• Similarly, false gods, saints, spirits, or “allies” besides Allah may appear to offer help, but in reality:
• They cannot create, sustain, or protect (cf. 22:73 — even a fly they cannot produce).
• On the Day of Judgment, they will disclaim their worshippers (cf. 10:28–29).
• Ibn Kathir explains the wisdom behind the parable of the spider's web:
• "This is how Allah described the idolaters in their reverence of gods besides Him, hoping that they would help them and provide for them, and turning to them in times of difficulties. In this regard, they were like the house of a spider, which is so weak and frail, because by clinging to these gods they were like a person who holds on to a spider's web, who does not gain any benefit from that. If they knew this, they would not take any protectors besides Allah. 
• This is unlike the Muslim believer, whose heart is devoted to Allah, yet he still does righteous deeds and follows the Laws of Allah, for he has grasped the most trustworthy handle that will never break because it is so strong and firm."

Relevance Today — Including Muslims Who Fall into Shirk

This verse has two audiences, the Non Muslims and even many Muslims. Let us see how:

• Non Muslims: 
• As for Non Muslims, their basic foundation of faith hinges mainly on their worldly deities, though some have some semblance of a distant deity. Some even acknowledge the presence of a Supreme Being up in the heavens, yet they associate worldly deities to be partners with the Lord of the world, who they claim share the powers of the one true God. Some even go to the extent of calling their deities at par with the God and refer to them more rather than the true God. 
• This has always been the bone of contention between the prophets Divinely sent and those worshiping their worldly deities. And when many nations did not cede to the Divine Commandments and even hurt and killed the prophets, they were subjected to the divine wrath and their strong stone house built in mountains caved in destroying all the idolaters.
• Muslims: Although most of the Muslims accept the presence of one true God, called Allah, there are yet some who still cling to the culture and traditions of the past and still engage in practices that contradict pure Tawḥīd, like:
• Bowing, prostrating, or making du‘ā’ at graves of saints.
• Believing the dead can independently fulfill needs or protect from harm.
• Using charms, amulets, or spiritual intermediaries believing they have power without Allah’s will.
• Such acts resemble the spider’s web — they provide no real help and may lead to major shirk, the gravest sin in Islam (4:48).

Thus while this ayat points towards the non Muslims, it also warn those Muslims with weak faith and inclinations.

Qur’anic & Prophetic Reinforcement

• Qur’an:
• "Do not call upon anyone besides Allah — such will neither benefit you nor harm you. If you do so, you will surely be of the wrongdoers." (10:106)
• "And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone with Allah." (72:18)
• Hadith:
• Prophet ﷺ said: “When you ask, ask Allah; and when you seek help, seek help from Allah.” (Tirmidhī, 2516)
• He forbade taking graves as places of worship: “Do not sit on graves nor pray towards them.” (Muslim, 972)

Lessons for today

• Tawḥīd is the strongest shelter — like a solid fortress (Surah Tauba 9:51 — “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed”).
• Shirk makes your spiritual foundation fragile, like a spider’s web.
• Even cultural or inherited acts of reverence that contradict Tawḥīd must be abandoned.
• True help, protection, and provision come only from Allah.

We need to get out of the world of illusions, false hopes, false deities who themselves are unaware of their fate on the Judgement Day. Let our faith be the faith of Allah conveyed to us by chosen prophets. Let us follow the unadulterated Divine scriptures which have been changed in substance to trick and mislead the true devotees. 

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 Sürah 29. Al-‘Ankabūt (The Spider) for verses from this Surah

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: 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.

Photo | Resource References:| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Whoever invokes, along with Allah, another god, then his reckoning is only with his Lord

Our faith defines the ultimate direction of our thoughts and destiny. One cannot have multi directional mindset to steer one's life. Likewise, when it comes to our religious faith, we cannot look up to any deity other than the only Lord of the universe, we Muslims call Allah while others call Him God, though some have different interpretation of God when it comes to Monotheism characterized as per the religion whose foundation was laid by Prophet Ibraheem عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ (Abraham). Any deviation form Monotheism is regarded as tangent to belief in One Ture God.

However, many tend to deviate from the concept of Monotheism and add worldly gods alongside the True God, distinguished from henotheism, a religious system in which the believer worships one god without denying that others may worship different gods with equal validity, and monolatrism, the recognition of the existence of many gods but with the consistent worship of only one deity. If one does have gods besides One True God, he is committing the crime of Shirk.

You may like to know what shirk is from our Reference page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah

Thus, anything other than Monotheism is strongly denied in Islam and those who do so will have their reckoning with Allah alone. This has been explicitly said in Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:117), explained herein under:

The Verse

وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَـٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ

“And whoever invokes, along with Allah, another god — for which he has no proof — then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely, the disbelievers will not succeed.” (23:117)

Context in Surah Al-Mu’minun

Surah Al-Mu’minun begins with the qualities of true believers (23:1–11) and then contrasts them with the arrogance, disbelief, and corruption of those who reject Allah’s messengers. Verse 117 comes near the end of the Surah (the closing passage), summarizing the fate of those who commit shirk (associating partners with Allah):

• They have no evidence for their beliefs.
• They will face judgment with Allah.
• Their final outcome is failure in the Hereafter.

This verse also came as a rebuttal to the Quraysh in Makkah, who worshipped idols alongside Allah and claimed they were “intercessors” without any divine proof (cf. 10:18).

Phrase-by-Phrase Meaning

• "Whoever invokes another god along with Allah…" Refers to any act of worship — prayer, sacrifice, seeking help — directed to someone or something other than Allah, whether idol, saint, angel, prophet, or force of nature.
• "…for which he has no proof" Islam’s core principle: truth must rest on evidence. No prophet or divine book has ever authorized worship of anything besides Allah.
• "…his reckoning is with his Lord" Ultimate judgment belongs to Allah alone. Even if such a person appears to “get away with it” in this life, the real accounting is in the Hereafter.
• "Indeed, the disbelievers will never succeed" Permanent failure in the Hereafter, regardless of worldly achievements.

Related Qur’anic References

• 17:39 – “Do not set up with Allah another deity, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and rejected.”
• 4:48 – “Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”
• 10:66 – “Unquestionably, to Allah belongs whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth. And those who invoke other than Allah do not [actually] follow any partners; they follow only assumption, and they are only guessing.”

Supporting Hadith

• Sahih al-Bukhari (4497) – The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” The Hadith means that all prophets taught Tawḥīd; no prophet ever sanctioned shirk.
• Sahih Muslim (92) – “Whoever meets Allah without associating anything with Him will enter Paradise, and whoever meets Him associating something with Him will enter Hell.”

Core Lessons

• No proof exists for shirk — All authentic revelation calls to pure monotheism.
• Accountability is certain — People may justify their shirk in this world, but Allah will question them in the Hereafter.
• Faith is evidence-based — True belief must be rooted in divine proof, not blind tradition or inherited customs.
• Success is defined by the Hereafter — Worldly victories are meaningless if they end in eternal loss.

Relevance Today

• Modern forms of shirk can be direct (worshipping other beings) or subtle (placing ultimate trust in power, wealth, or ideology).
• Many today claim certain saints, leaders, or “spiritual powers” can protect them or bring them closer to God without Qur’anic or prophetic proof — this verse directly challenges such beliefs.
• In a world where “truth” is often treated as subjective, this verse calls for proof-based faith rooted in revelation, not hearsay or tradition.
• It’s also a warning that religious acts without Tawḥīd — no matter how impressive — have no value before Allah.

Thus to summarize the above quoted verse and its true meaning, any claim of partnership with God has absolutely no evidence to support it, neither from the universe and how it is run, nor from human logic or nature. Anyone who makes such a claim will have to face the reckoning in front of God, and the result is known in advance: “Most certainly the unbelievers shall never be successful.” This is an unfailing rule that is hound to come true. Success, by contrast, is guaranteed for the believers.

 

All the favours and comforts that we see the unbelievers enjoying in this life, and all the power and resources they may sometimes have at their command does not mean success in reality. It is all given to them as a test, and it will end with their loss in this present life. However, if some of them escape punishment in this world, they will have to face the reckoning in the hereafter. There, in the life to come, is the final stage of this life cycle. It is not something separate or isolated. Indeed, it is an essential stage, clearly seen by those who have real vision.

You may refer to Selected verses from Sūrah 23. Al-Mu’minūn “The Believers”  for other selected verses from Surah Al-Mu’minun already published. 

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 also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: 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.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah (Reference Page)

Islam is a monotheistic religion for it is about belief in the oneness of Allah (God). The central concept in Islam is the belief that Allah is the only God, the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and that there is no deity or god other than Him. This belief in the oneness of God is known as Tawhid, which is the foundation of Islamic theology and spirituality.

This monotheistic is tangent to all forms of beliefs and worship where partners are associating with Allah in power sharing or even someone at par with Allah. This act in Islam is called Shirk " شرك " an Arabic word meaning "the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides One True God."  Shirk is polytheism, the outright negation of monotheism. It is for this reason, shirk is the most disliked thing by the Almighty Allah, despite He being the Most Merciful and immensely Forgiving. For this reason, It is considered as the greatest sin in Islam and is explicitly condemned in the Qur'an and Hadith.

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” Surah An-Nisa (4:48)

Please read exegesis / tafsir of 112th verse of Qur'an wherein Allah tells that He alone is to be worshiped and He alone is the Master of the entire universe: Sürah 112.  Al Ikhlas (The Declaration of [God's] Oneness)  And also the attribute of Allah: Al Ahad - The One and Only

Shirk may take different forms, which must be avoided by all believers. Shirk may take following forms, as given below:

• Shirk in Worship (Ritualistic Shirk): This involves directing acts of worship (such as prayer, supplication, fasting, or sacrifice) to someone or something other than Allah, like idols, saints, or any other being considered to have divine power.
• Shirk in Belief: This refers to attributing divine qualities, such as creation, omnipotence, or knowledge, to someone or something other than Allah, such as believing that a human being, angel, or other entity shares Allah’s attributes.
• Shirk in Lordship (Rububiyyah): This involves attributing Allah's sovereign control over creation, sustenance, or the universe to someone else. For example, believing that a person or object has control over the natural world or life events in a way that only Allah does.
• Shirk in Names and Attributes (Asma wa Sifat): This involves assigning Allah’s unique names or attributes (such as "the Most Merciful" or "the All-Knowing") to anyone other than Him.

Why is Shirk so Important to Avoid in Islam?

Shirk is regarded as the most severe offense in Islam, and its consequences are dire both in this life and the Hereafter. Here are the key reasons why Muslims are urged to avoid shirk:

• Violates the Concept of Tawhid (Monotheism): Tawhid, or the oneness of Allah, is the core of the Islamic faith. Shirk undermines this fundamental principle by introducing multiple powers or deities and thereby distorting the understanding of Allah’s singular sovereignty.
• The Greatest Sin in Islam: Shirk is considered the ultimate form of injustice (zulm), as it assigns divine qualities to something other than Allah. Allah has stated in the Qur'an that He will forgive all sins, except for shirk, if a person dies without repentance.
• Consequences in the Afterlife: One of the most serious consequences of shirk is that Allah does not forgive it if a person dies without repenting. Those who commit shirk and do not repent are warned of eternal punishment in Hell.
• Disconnection from Allah's Mercy: Committing shirk is seen as a barrier between a person and the mercy of Allah. It breaks the relationship of pure worship that should exist between the believer and their Creator.

Committing shirk not only endangers a person’s soul but also disrespects Allah’s sovereignty and mercy. Muslims are urged to uphold pure monotheism, placing their trust and worship solely in Allah, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Avoiding shirk is essential to maintaining the integrity of one’s faith and ensuring a successful Hereafter.

We have already published a number of posts covering aspects of Shirk. Through this reference page, we are providing links to already published posts hereinunder for the information of our readers to know more about shirk and will keep adding more posts on shirk as and when published:

Al Qur'an

• The Sin of Shirk - Associating Partners with God
• Al Qur'an quotes an excellent example of Prophet Abraham (Ibrāhīm) rejecting Idolatry
• One of Qur'an's clearest affirmations of the Oneness of Allah (Tawḥīd) - A timeless criterion that no created being shares His divinity
• Whoever invokes, along with Allah, another god, then his reckoning is only with his Lord
• An eye opener verse from Qur'an for those who commit Shirk by turning to deities other than Allah 
• Is it Right to Ask the Dead by visiting their graves for Help?
• Who will be among the worst creatures on the Day of Resurrection (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
• Allah alone is the Deliverer - Yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity
• What is the Reality of Shirk - the sin of idolatry or polytheism (Scholars' Viewpoint)
• A parable in the Qur’an which teaches absurdity of idolatry and worshiping beings other than Allah
• The parable of the beautiful yet fragile cobweb and those who make fragile foundation of their faith based on shirk
• Who are the Rightly Guided?
• Beware of Grave Consequences of Committing Shirk (Ascribing a Partner with Allah) (Surah 4. An Nisa 48)
• Do not worship others beside Allah (Surah 10. Yunus:104)
• Invoking the Dead: “they are dead, not living. They do not even know when they will be resurrected (Surah 16. An Nahal 20)

Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

• Who will be among the worst creatures on the Day of Resurrection 

In time, we shall add more posts as this severely detested act of worship by Allah abounds in many verses of Qur'an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

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.

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.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

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.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: 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.

Photo | 

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Allah alone is the Deliverer - Yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity

Man has always been impatient - hurrying up things despite knowing that things move when it is there time to move. This is also true when someone in distress calls on to God to redress his grievance but when the distress is not gone hurriedly, many the distressed usually turn to holy men for prayers and even intercession. This is due to lack of faith in one's Creator and His wisdom to resolve issues as He thinks the best.

Yet many a men, even many Muslims, especially in certain cultural or traditional contexts, seek the help of holy men (saints, pious individuals, or religious leaders) for intercession or deliverance in times of need. We see such people flocking the tombs of saints, making supplications at their graves, or asking for their intercession with Allah, believing that these individuals have a special connection with Allah. This practice has been a part of some Muslim cultures, especially in parts of South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

However, in Islamic monotheism (Tawhid), belief in the oneness of Allah is central. The Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasize that all deliverance, guidance, and mercy ultimately come from Allah alone. The reliance on intermediaries, such as holy men, for deliverance or intercession, is a topic of theological debate in the Muslim community, and many scholars believe it is contrary to the pure worship of Allah.

With this premise, let us refer to the 64th verse of Surah 6. An'am in which Allah asks men if they have any doubt about His Divinity and deliverance. This verse should open eyes of those Muslims, specially of Indian sub continent, who find others than Allah as their deliverers or Mushkil Kusha " مشکل کشا ":

قُلِ اللّٰهُ يُنَجِّيۡكُمۡ مِّنۡهَا وَمِنۡ كُلِّ كَرۡبٍ ثُمَّ اَنۡـتُمۡ تُشۡرِكُوۡنَ‏ 

(6:64) Say: "It is Allah alone Who delivers you from this and from every distress, and yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity."

In fact this verse is a follow-up of the immediately earlier verse:

(6:63) Ask them (O Muhammad!): 'Who is it that delivers you from dangers in the deep darkness of the land and the sea, and to whom do you call in humility and in the secrecy of your hearts? To whom do you pray: "If He will but save us from this distress, we shall most certainly be among the thankful?"

The verses above in simple explanation mean that God alone possesses all power and authority, and has full control over the things which cause either benefit or harm to men, and that He alone holds the reins of their destiny are facts to which there is ample testimony in man's own being. For instance, whenever man is faced with a really hard time, and when the resources upon which he normally fails back seem to fail him, he instinctively turns to God. In spite of such a clear sign, people set up partners to God without any shred of evidence that anyone other than God has any share in His power and authority. Or simply put: No human being—no matter how pious or revered—has the power to alter the divine plan or to provide deliverance except by the will of Allah.

Now let us go in some detail explaining the above quoted verse:

Divine Control over Deliverance: The verse emphasizes that Allah is the ultimate planner, meaning that deliverance, help, or mercy is ultimately in His hands. Turning to anyone else, even if they are perceived as holy or righteous, can be seen as a misunderstanding of Allah's exclusive power. While holy men might pray for others or offer guidance, the belief in their ability to bring deliverance on their own is at odds with the teaching that only Allah has complete control over all outcomes.

Allah's Plan is Superior: The verse speaks of how people might plot and plan, but Allah’s plan will always prevail. This teaches that reliance on human intermediaries, instead of relying on Allah, is a form of trusting in human schemes rather than the divine plan. The verse is a reminder that Allah's wisdom and power surpass all others. Therefore, one should place their trust in Allah alone and seek His help directly, as He is the ultimate source of strength, guidance, and deliverance.

The Problem of Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah): In Islam, associating anyone with Allah in terms of worship or seeking deliverance is known as shirk, and it is considered one of the gravest sins. Turning to holy men for deliverance could be seen as a form of shirk if it involves asking them to intervene in a way that is believed to bypass Allah’s will or power. This goes against the concept of Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah, which emphasizes that only Allah should be relied upon for help and deliverance.

Intercession in Islam: While it is true that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can intercede on behalf of his followers on the Day of Judgment, this intercession is not to be misunderstood as a form of relying on the Prophet for direct deliverance in this life. Muslims are encouraged to make their supplications directly to Allah and to seek His mercy, while understanding that any intercession is by Allah’s permission alone. This reflects the idea that the ultimate control remains with Allah.

The Implications of the verse

The verse highlights that Allah is the best planner and the ultimate controller of all things. It serves as a reminder that Muslims should place their trust in Allah alone for deliverance and guidance, rather than turning to holy men or intermediaries. While respect for pious individuals is important in Islam, relying on them for deliverance or supplicating them as though they have independent power to change Allah's will goes against the fundamental principles of Tawhid. The verse encourages believers to seek Allah's help directly, trusting in His perfect plan and wisdom.

• Direct Access to Allah’s Mercy: The verse emphasizes that Allah's mercy and forgiveness are directly accessible to the believer. There is no need to turn to anyone else, such as holy men, for this mercy or forgiveness. The person who repents can do so directly to Allah without the need for intermediaries. Allah is close and always ready to forgive those who sincerely seek His mercy, regardless of their past sins.
• No Need for Intermediaries in Repentance: The verse makes it clear that those who repent and correct themselves will find Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and guidance. There is no need for intermediaries, such as holy men, to facilitate this process. The Muslim's relationship with Allah is personal and direct. Repentance and deliverance come from Allah alone, and it is a direct appeal to Him, not to anyone else.
• Misplaced Reliance on Intermediaries: Seeking deliverance through holy men can be seen as an indirect approach to Allah. While respecting pious individuals is encouraged in Islam, believing that they have the power to intercede independently of Allah goes against the principle of Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah. The Qur'an stresses that no one shares Allah’s power, especially when it comes to forgiveness and mercy.
• Shifting Focus from Allah to Intermediaries: When people seek deliverance from holy men, they may inadvertently shift their focus away from the direct mercy of Allah, which is readily available to them. The verse stresses that Allah has decreed mercy upon Himself, and all believers must turn to Him, especially when seeking forgiveness and deliverance from difficulties. This verse challenges the notion that a human intermediary has a unique ability to grant mercy or deliverance.

This verse thus reinforces the Islamic principle that Allah alone provides forgiveness, guidance, and mercy. It encourages believers to seek Allah’s help directly and not rely on intermediaries, such as holy men or saints, to bring about deliverance. The verse serves as a reminder that repentance and mercy are direct from Allah, and there is no need for anyone to stand between a believer and their Creator. Turning to Allah directly, in sincerity and humility, is the proper course, and it is through this connection that deliverance is granted.

This verse inadvertently cautions the believers to avert any chances of committing Shirk and rely only on the help of Allah and be always contended and believe that whatever the circumstances may be, one has to be patient and supplicate only to Allah to ease out one's sufferings and distress. 

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.

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.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

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 Reference Page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah to know about Shirk and why it is the unpardonable act by Allah

You may also read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah 

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: 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.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 |  

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān 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, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. 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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More