قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ ۖ ٱئْتُونِى بِكِتَـٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ هَـٰذَآ أَوْ أَثَـٰرَةٍ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 4
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Have you considered that which you invoke besides Allāh? Show me what they have created of the earth; or did they have partnership in [creation of] the heavens? Bring me a scripture [revealed] before this or a [remaining] trace of knowledge, if you should be truthful."
Transliteration
Qul araytum ma tad'ūna min dūnillāh arūnī mādhā khalaqū minal-ard am lahum shirkun fis-samāwāt ītūnī bikitābin min qabli hādhā aw athārah min 'ilmin in kuntum sādiqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet to challenge the polytheists to prove the reality and creative power of their idols by asking them to show what these false gods have created on earth or whether they have any share in creating the heavens. The ayah demands evidence—either a prior scripture supporting their claims or any trace of knowledge—to substantiate their worship of partners with Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as a rational refutation of idolatry, demonstrating that the idols possess neither creative power nor divine attributes.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ahqaf (a Meccan surah), which addresses the polytheists of Mecca who rejected monotheism. It is part of a broader rhetorical challenge throughout the surah to idolaters, urging them to reflect on the irrationality of their beliefs. The surah follows the pattern of Quranic argumentation common in the Meccan period, emphasizing tawhid (oneness of Allah) through logical reasoning.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, Surah Al-Ankabut (29:17) presents similar reasoning: 'You worship besides Allah only idols, and you invent falsehood.' The theme of challenging idolaters appears in multiple hadiths regarding the Prophet's debates with Quraysh, documented in Sīrah works like Ibn Hishām's Sīrat al-Nabī.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to engage with those of other beliefs through reason and evidence rather than mere assertion, while recognizing that true divinity is evidenced by creative power and authority over creation—attributes belonging only to Allah. It invites reflection on the fundamental irrationality of associating partners with the One Creator.