إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 42
Translations
Indeed, Allāh knows whatever thing they call upon other than Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Inna Allaha ya'lamu ma yad'una min dūnihi min shay'in wa huwa al-'Azīzu al-Hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has complete knowledge of all that the polytheists call upon besides Him, whether idols, false deities, or fabricated intermediaries. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this knowledge encompasses not only the names and natures of these false objects of worship, but also the futility and falsehood inherent in associating partners with Allah. The ayah concludes with divine attributes—Al-'Aziz (The Mighty) and Al-Hakim (The Wise)—establishing that Allah alone possesses absolute power and wisdom to judge such shirk (polytheism) and guide His servants aright.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense polytheistic opposition to the Prophet Muhammad's message. This ayah contextualizes the broader theme of the surah: despite the Meccans' devotion to their idols and false gods, Allah's knowledge is all-encompassing, and His dominion is absolute. The ayah directly addresses the spiritual blindness of idol-worship prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever dies while calling upon a partner with Allah will meet Him as a mushrik (polytheist)' (Sahih Bukhari). This hadith reinforces the gravity of shirk emphasized in this ayah. Additionally, 'There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing' (Quran 42:11) complements the divine attributes mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no act of worship to false deities escapes Allah's knowledge, and that sincere believers should trust in Allah's absolute wisdom and power rather than seeking intercession through intermediaries. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that hidden intentions and actions are known to Allah, encouraging accountability and sincere devotion exclusively to the One True God.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِن كِتَـٰبٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُۥ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًا لَّٱرْتَابَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ
And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Then [i.e., otherwise] the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt.
بَلْ هُوَ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.
إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَـٰنًا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَٱبْتَغُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرِّزْقَ وَٱعْبُدُوهُ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
You only worship, besides Allāh, idols, and you produce a falsehood. Indeed, those you worship besides Allāh do not possess for you [the power of] provision. So seek from Allāh provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
And if you asked them, "Who sends down rain from the sky and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Say, "Praise to Allāh"; but most of them do not reason.