وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُۥ ۚ لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 88
Translations
And do not invoke with Allāh another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.
Transliteration
Wa lā tad'u ma'a Allāhi ilāhan ākhara, lā ilāha illā huwa, kullu shay'in hālikun illā wajhahu, lahu al-hukmu wa ilayhi turja'ūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a comprehensive affirmation of absolute monotheism (tawhid), commanding the prohibition of associating partners with Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that while all creation is perishable and temporary, only Allah's face (essence/self) is eternal and permanent. The ayah culminates with affirmation of Allah's sole authority and dominion over all affairs, and the return of all creation to Him for judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qasas, a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's power and wisdom through historical narratives. The context addresses the polytheistic practices of pre-Islamic Arabia, reinforcing the central message of Islam: the absolute oneness of Allah and the futility of worshipping besides Him. It serves as a powerful closing affirmation of tawhid.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best supplication is 'La ilāha illā Allāh' (There is no deity except Allah)' - Tirmidhi. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) includes the Prophet's teaching that Allah alone is eternal while all else perishes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that only Allah deserves worship and devotion, as all other things—wealth, status, life itself—are temporary and will perish. For modern readers, this teaches the importance of shifting focus from worldly attachments to the eternal reality of Allah's oneness and our inevitable return to Him.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Do you argue with us about Allāh while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere [in deed and intention] to Him."
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّنِى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ
[Through a messenger, saying], "Do not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings,"
فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ
And he cast a look at the stars.