لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا ۚ فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ 22
Translations
Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
Transliteration
Law kana feehima aalihatan illa Allahu lafasadat. Fasubhana Allahi rabbi al-'arshi 'amma yasifun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a logical proof for monotheism (tawhid): if there were multiple deities in the heavens and earth, each would seek to assert their own will and the universe would fall into chaos and corruption. Ibn Kathir explains this as a rational argument demonstrating the necessity of One God for cosmic order, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the perfection and harmony of creation itself testifies to the existence of a single, all-wise Creator. The ayah concludes with glorification of Allah, transcending Him above the false descriptions attributed by polytheists.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Al-Anbiya, which refutes polytheism and idolatry through various arguments. It is part of the broader context where the Quran addresses the Meccan polytheists' claim of multiple gods, using both logical reasoning and observable creation as evidence for Allah's oneness.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah,' emphasizing the centrality of tawhid. Additionally, hadiths about the universality of Allah's dominion support this ayah's logical framework.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize the rational coherence of monotheism and the logical impossibility of multiple gods; it invites reflection on the ordered universe as testimony to One Creator. For modern readers, it encourages using intellect alongside revelation to strengthen faith and refute doubts about Allah's oneness.
Related Ayahs
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـٰنَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allāh, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.
مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
Your creation and your resurrection will not be but as that of a single soul. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
قُلْ إِنَّمَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
Say, "It is only revealed to me that your god is but one God; so will you be Muslims [in submission to Him]?"
وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ
And [warn of] the Day He will call them and say, "Where are My 'partners' which you used to claim?"