Man has always been wanting or for that matter trying to find out who that deity is that controls weather, rains, crops or listens to their woes when in distress. Since our Creator, the sole Lord of the Universe, is an unseen deity, man made idols thinking these reflection of the unseen deity or even made better humans among them to be followed and revered to redress their grievances. But the answer remained unanswered.
Here it would be appropriate to mention example of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him). He too had the same quest when growing up amid man made idols and statues. Since these were motionless and man made (his father being one of the renowned sculpturist), he tried to find answers in heavenly bodies. When he looked at the sun, rising with its full might and light that could not be looked at even for seconds, he thought the sun was the deity he should be worshipping. But when it came to sunset and the sun disappeared, he was disappointed for a deity cannot be obscured by darkness. And when the moon came up spreading its light showing ways to the wanderers and travelers, he took it to be the deity he was looking for. But moon too disappeared at the dawn. He then realised that the deity he was looking for is to be felt through creations around and even if unseen, he should direct all his worship and supplications to the unseen deity rather than worldly deities or objects.
This is the subject of the 106th verse of Surah 10. Yunus (Jonah) being shared and explained today.
Surah Yunus (10:106) says:
“And do not call upon, besides Allah, that which can neither benefit you nor harm you. For if you do, then indeed you would be among the wrongdoers.” (translation of the meaning)
To understand this verse properly, it's important to read it in the flow of the surrounding verses rather than in isolation. But before we do that let us inform our readers that while this verses is exclusive to non Muslims who are polytheists or idol worshippers, this is also an eye opener to many a Muslim who despite believing in one true God also run after the worldly deities, both living and dead, in a bid to have their problems redressed.
Context: Verses 104–107
1. Verse 104
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is instructed to declare that if people are in doubt about his religion, he does not worship what they worship; rather, he worships Allah, who causes death and gives life.
- The emphasis is on exclusive devotion to Allah.
2. Verse 105
- The Prophet is then commanded to:
- Direct himself firmly toward the true religion.
- Not be among the polytheists (those who associate partners with Allah).
- This continues the theme of pure monotheism (Tawḥīd).
3. Verse 106
- The verse selected for explanation in this post in general means:
- Do not invoke or call upon anything besides Allah that cannot benefit or harm you.
- This is a practical application of the previous command. If one is devoted to Allah alone, one should not direct acts of worship, supplication, or ultimate reliance toward other beings or objects.
4. Verse 107
The next verse explains why:
If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him; and if He intends good for you, none can repel His favor.
The reasoning is straightforward
- Allah alone has ultimate power over benefit and harm.
- Therefore worship and supplication should ultimately be directed to Him alone.
The surrounding passage forms a complete argument:
Worship Allah alone (v.104–105).
Do not invoke others besides Him (v.106).
Because ultimate benefit and harm are in His control alone (v.107).
Let us now concentrate on verse 106 and its interpretation:
Verse 106
In general, the 106th verse of Surah Yunus point towards worship of one true God and thus avoidance of Shirk - that is equating deities or objects at par with the Creator of the universe. We have already published a number of posts about shirk and how to avoid it for this one act alone has its severe consequences. These posts can be read from our reference page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah
Here is a break down of important words of the verse:
What does “call upon” mean? Classical commentators generally understood this as referring primarily to religious invocation and worship—praying to, seeking divine help from, or attributing supernatural independent power to beings other than Allah.
The verse is not prohibiting ordinary human interactions such as:
- Asking a doctor for treatment.
- Asking a friend for help.
- Seeking advice from a teacher.
Those people have means and abilities that Allah has given them. The issue is directing to created beings the kind of dependence, invocation, or worship that belongs to Allah.
Tafsir / Exegesis of the verse 106 by Ibn Kathir
In his Tafsir (exegesis), the renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir explains this verse through several key principles regarding monotheism (Tawhid) and the nature of worship:
1. The Powerlessness of Idols and False Deities. Ibn Kathir highlights the fundamental futility of directing worship, prayers, or supplications to anything or anyone other than Allah. He notes that false gods, idols, or anything created inherently possess no power to bestow a benefit (like provisions or health) or inflict harm. Because they lack any control over reality, invoking them is entirely illogical and futile.
2. The Severity of Shirk (Wrongdoing) The phrase "for if you do, then indeed, you will be among the wrongdoers" emphasizes the gravity of associating partners with Allah. Ibn Kathir explains that the Arabic word used for wrongdoers (az-Zalimun) here refers to the polytheists and idolaters (mushrikin). He points out that engaging in shirk (idolatry) is considered the ultimate transgression and injustice because a person is giving the rights of the Creator—who alone provides and protects—to a created entity that can do neither.
3. Absolute Reliance on Allah Ibn Kathir couples this verse with the following one (10:107), which states that if Allah intends to afflict someone with harm, no one can remove it except Him. By establishing this, Ibn Kathir’s commentary stresses that complete reliance (Tawakkul) and submission must be directed to Allah alone.
How is it applicable today? The verse remains relevant in several ways.
1. Avoiding misplaced worship
The most direct application is that Non Muslims and even Muslims should not direct prayers, acts of worship, or divine-level dependence toward anyone besides Allah, the One True God without any associates and parallels.
The verse asks a simple question: Can this thing truly control benefit and harm independently? If not, it should not be treated as an object of worship.
2. Examining what we rely on
The verse also encourages self-reflection about where ultimate trust lies. Today people may place ultimate confidence in:
- Wealth
- Status
- Political power
- Technology
- Influential individuals
These things can be useful means, but they are not ultimate sources of security. The passage reminds believers that all means remain dependent on Allah's will.
3. Using means without idolizing them
Verse 107 does not tell people to abandon worldly means. Islam generally encourages using available means while recognizing that success ultimately comes from Allah.
For example:
- Take medicine, but recognize healing comes from Allah.
- Work hard, but recognize provision comes from Allah.
- Seek help from people, but recognize their ability to help is granted by Allah.
4. A warning against spiritual dependency on powerless things
The verse challenges any tendency to attribute divine powers to objects, charms, symbols, or individuals. It asks whether those things truly possess independent authority over one's destiny.
The central message of the passage
When verses 104–107 are read together, the core teaching is:
Direct your worship, supplication, and ultimate trust to Allah alone, because He alone possesses ultimate control over benefit and harm. Use worldly means responsibly, but do not give them the status that belongs only to God.
That is the theological and practical thread connecting the preceding verse (commitment to true religion), verse 106 (do not invoke others), and the following verse (Allah alone controls outcomes).
This is just an outline explanation of the passage covering verses 104-107 with special reference to verse 106. Those needing detailed understanding of the passage may read Surah Yunus - Jonah: 10th Chapter of Quran - Exegesis Part IV, covering verses 93-109.
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 visit our reference page: Surah 10 Yunus (Prophet Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, Jonah) for selected verses from Surah Hud.
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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