مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُۥ مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ ۚ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهٍۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ 91
Translations
Allāh has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have [sought to] overcome others. Exalted is Allāh above what they describe [concerning Him].
Transliteration
Ma ittakhadha Allahu min waladin wa ma kana maahu min ilah. Idhan la-dhahaba kullu ilahin bima khalaqa wa la-alaa baaduhum alaa baad. Subhana Allahi amma yasifun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah categorically refutes the Christian claim of Jesus being the Son of God and the pagan Arab belief in multiple deities. The verse employs a logical argument: if Allah had a son or if there were multiple gods, each would claim authority over creation and conflict would ensue, leading to chaos and corruption in the universe—a rational impossibility. The conclusion (tasbeeh) glorifies Allah as beyond such false descriptions, emphasizing His absolute oneness and transcendence. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as both a theological refutation and a logical proof of monotheism.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period of intense polytheistic opposition to the Prophet's message. The Meccan surahs frequently address the denial of monotheism by Quraysh and Christian delegations, making this surah's emphasis on Tawheed (God's oneness) contextually significant for believers facing religious pluralism.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 4476). Also relevant is the hadith emphasizing that the testimony 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no god but Allah) is the key to Paradise (Sahih Muslim 193).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that monotheism is not merely a religious belief but a logically sound principle reflected in the order and harmony of creation. For modern Muslims, it reinforces that authentic faith is rooted in sound reasoning and should be defended intellectually against false doctrines and false gods (material or ideological) that fragment human loyalty and purpose.