Tafsir & Commentary
The Cattle (الأنعام) · Meccan
ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ102
6:102
Translation — Sahih International
That is Allāh, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.
Transliteration
Dhālikumu-Allāhu Rabbukum, lā ilāha illā Huwa, Khāliqu kulli shay'in, fa'budūhu, wa Huwa 'alā kulli shay'in Wakīl.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a comprehensive declaration of Allah's oneness (Tawhīd) and His exclusive right to worship. Allah is introduced as the Lord of all creation, the only deity worthy of worship, and the Creator of all things, commanding believers to worship Him alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah synthesizes the core message of Islamic monotheism—that Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Object of worship—and that His guardianship and care extend over all creation, necessitating complete reliance upon Him.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah concludes a series of proofs for Allah's oneness presented throughout Surah Al-An'am, a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period when polytheism was prevalent in Arabia. The ayah serves as a climactic affirmation of monotheism, summarizing the arguments against idolatry and the necessity of exclusive worship of Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Hadith of Jibril (Sahih Muslim) wherein the Prophet ﷺ defines Islām, which fundamentally requires the testimony 'Lā ilāha illā-Allāh' (there is no deity except Allah), directly reflects the core message of this ayah's assertion of strict monotheism.
Themes
Key Lessons
For modern believers, this ayah is a powerful reminder that true worship requires undivided devotion to Allah alone, free from associating partners with Him in belief, practice, or reliance. It encourages complete trust in Allah's providential care and guardianship over all affairs, fostering spiritual security and inner peace rooted in monotheistic conviction.