أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ 191
Translations
Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves] created?
Transliteration
Ayushrikūna mā lā yakhluqu shay'an wa hum yukhlaqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah criticizes the polytheists for associating partners with Allah by worshipping idols that possess no creative power whatsoever, while these idols themselves are created beings. The logical absurdity is emphasized: how can one ascribe partnership to Allah through beings who cannot create anything and are themselves created? According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse highlights the fundamental contradiction in shirk (polytheism)—attributing divine attributes of creation to helpless, created objects.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-A'raf's refutation of idolatry and polytheism in Mecca. It is part of a broader argument demonstrating the irrationality of shirk by contrasting the creative power and sovereignty of Allah alone with the complete powerlessness of idols. The surah addresses the Meccan polytheists who worshipped carved idols alongside Allah.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The greatest sin is to ascribe partners to Allah (shirk).' Additionally, in Sunan Ibn Majah, there is emphasis on the futility of calling upon idols, as they neither hear nor respond—reinforcing the theme of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to reflect rationally on the absurdity of worshipping anything besides Allah and emphasizes that true faith must be grounded in recognizing Allah's exclusive creative power and authority. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to examine what we prioritize in our lives—ensuring we do not inadvertently elevate created things (wealth, status, people) to a level of importance that belongs only to Allah.