No master of a house would tolerate anyone else meddling with the affairs of his household, nor he would like any member of his household seeking advice or help from others bypassing him, thus challenging his authority. Likewise, how can God, the sole Creator of the Universe, the Omnipotent and the unchallenged Master of the Heavens and earth who created all the living organism and the entire celestial universe tolerate anyone taking human beings as their allies rather than Him.
In verse 102 of Surah Al-Kahf (18:102) Allah warns disbelievers, and even the believers, who seek help from others and take them their allies other than One True God :
اَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَنۡ يَّتَّخِذُوۡا عِبَادِىۡ مِنۡ دُوۡنِىۡۤ اَوۡلِيَآءَ ؕ اِنَّاۤ اَعۡتَدۡنَا جَهَـنَّمَ لِلۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ نُزُلًا
"Do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell as a lodging for the disbelievers."
This is the conclusion of the whole Surah and is connected with the subject matter of this Surah as a whole. The theme was enunciated at the beginning of the (Surah Ayats 1-8): The Prophet (peace be upon him) invited his people. (1) To give up shirk and adopt the doctrine of Tauhid instead. (2) To give up the worship of the world and to believe in the life of the Hereafter. But the chiefs of his people, who were puffed up with their wealth and grandeur, not only rejected his invitation but also persecuted and insulted those righteous people who had accepted his invitation.
It is disheartening to see people, many believers included, still follow the deities other than Allah for the realization of their wants and to redress their grievances. We see people calling their deities as Problem Solvers, Helpers, Provider of means of sustenance. This is tantamount to shirk, asking mortals or even the dead, rather the Sole Provider of means of sustenance, Helper and Redressing grievances. While the non Muslims may do whatever they want and follow whomsoever they like, but it is unbecoming of believers to extend their hands in front of mortals instead of Allah.
Let us expand this verse and see how scholars interpret it:
Explanation and Context:
This verse serves as a strong warning to disbelievers who choose to ally themselves with others instead of Allah. It addresses the folly of relying on false deities, people, or entities for support and guidance in place of Allah.
- Disbelievers and False Allies: The verse begins with a rhetorical question highlighting the misguided belief of disbelievers who think they can find protection or help through allies other than Allah. This underscores the futility and danger of such alliances.
- Taking Servants as Allies: "My servants" in this context can refer to righteous people, prophets, or even angels whom disbelievers might mistakenly revere or rely on instead of Allah. The Quran condemns the practice of associating partners with Allah or seeking intermediaries.
- Consequence for Disbelievers: The verse concludes with a clear and stern warning: Hell has been prepared as a lodging for the disbelievers. This underscores the severe consequences of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and disbelief.
Related References from the Quran:
- Warning Against Shirk: The Quran frequently warns against associating partners with Allah. In Surah An-Nisa (4:48):
"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."
- False Deities and Intermediaries: The Quran rejects the notion of seeking help from others besides Allah. In Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:5):
"And who is more astray than he who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they, of their invocation, are unaware."
- Consequences of Disbelief: The Quran emphasizes the severe punishment awaiting disbelievers in several verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:39): "And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs – those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
Related References from Hadith:
- Reliance on Allah Alone: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of relying solely on Allah. In a hadith reported by Ibn Abbas, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi)
- Severe Punishment for Disbelievers: In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"When the disbelievers (who will have hellfire as their abode) are gathered for reckoning on the Day of Judgment, they will be made to suffer from an unbearable thirst. They will ask for water, but their request will not be granted, and they will be dragged into the Fire." (Sahih Muslim)
Practical Lessons:
- Avoid Shirk: The verse serves as a reminder to avoid associating partners with Allah and to rely solely on Him for guidance and support.
- Recognize True Allies: Believers should recognize that their true ally is Allah alone. Seeking protection or help from false deities or intermediaries is not only futile but also leads to severe consequences.
- Heed the Warnings: The stern warning about Hell as a lodging for disbelievers underscores the importance of heeding divine guidance and avoiding actions that lead to such a dire fate.
- Strengthen Faith and Reliance on Allah: This verse and related references encourage believers to strengthen their faith and reliance on Allah, ensuring that their worship and supplications are directed solely towards Him.
In summary, Surah Al-Kahf (18:102) warns disbelievers against the folly of seeking allies other than Allah and highlights the severe consequences of such actions. The Quran and hadiths reinforce the importance of relying solely on Allah and avoiding shirk, emphasizing the severe punishment awaiting those who disbelieve and associate partners with Allah.
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 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.
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 exclusive page: Specific Subject: Faith in Allah for more on Faith in Allah as derived from verses of Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Additionally, yo may also refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
