وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّهِمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ 59
Translations
And they who do not associate anything with their Lord
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna hum bi-rabbihim lā yushrikūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers as those who do not associate partners with Allah in worship or belief. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement emphasizes that true faith requires complete monotheism (tawhīd) and the rejection of shirk in all its forms—whether major shirk (worshipping idols) or minor shirk (hidden polytheism of the heart). The phrase "with their Lord" underscores the intimate relationship between the servant and Allah that shirk violates.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mu'minun, which was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period. The surah describes the characteristics of true believers throughout, and this particular verse is part of a passage (verses 57-61) that delineates the qualities distinguishing believers from others. The context addresses pagan Meccan society where polytheism was widespread, making the affirmation of pure monotheism central to the message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever dies not associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise' (Sahih Muslim 93). Also relevant is the hadith: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 2654), which emphasizes the severity of shirk and the importance of this ayah's teaching.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that maintaining pure monotheism and constant awareness that Allah alone deserves worship is foundational to faith. In modern contexts, this teaches us to examine our hearts for subtle forms of shirk—such as placing excessive trust in wealth, status, or created beings instead of relying solely on Allah.
Related Ayahs
مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allāh has sent down no evidence. Legislation is not but for Allāh. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.
قُلْ مَنۢ بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Say, "In whose hand is the realm of all things - and He protects while none can protect against Him - if you should know?"
وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And do not invoke besides Allāh that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for if you did, then indeed you would be of the wrongdoers.'"
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشْرِكُ بِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
Say, [O Muḥammad], "I only invoke my Lord and do not associate with Him anyone."