وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 35
Translations
And those who associate others with Allāh say, "If Allāh had willed, we would not have worshipped anything other than Him, neither we nor our fathers, nor would we have forbidden anything through other than Him." Thus did those do before them. So is there upon the messengers except [the duty of] clear notification?
Transliteration
Wa qala alladhina ashrakoo law sha'a Allahu ma 'abadna min doonihi min shay'in nahnu wa la aba'una wa la harramnا min doonihi min shay'in. Kadhalika fa'ala alladhina min qablihim. Fahal 'ala ar-rusuli illa al-balaghul mubin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The polytheists argue that if Allah had willed, neither they nor their ancestors would have worshipped idols or forbidden lawful things, thereby deflecting blame from themselves onto divine will. This ayah refutes their excuse by establishing that they possessed free will and choice in their actions. As Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note, the Messengers are only obligated to convey the message clearly, not to force belief or obedience—the acceptance or rejection remains with humanity's choice.
Revelation Context
This ayah addresses the common excuse of Meccan polytheists who attributed their idolatry and religious innovations to divine predestination. Within Surah An-Nahl, which discusses divine blessings and signs, this verse responds to those who rejected the Prophet's message by denying their own responsibility, a recurring theme throughout the surah.
Related Hadiths
The principle is supported by the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever claims that his mother is unlawful (haram) is among those who make up lies.' This emphasizes human accountability in religious matters. Additionally, Surah Al-Isra (17:36) complements this: 'And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge,' emphasizing human responsibility for choices.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must recognize that while Allah is the ultimate authority, humans possess genuine choice and will be held accountable for their decisions; excusing ourselves by blaming fate or tradition absolves us of the responsibility to seek truth and obey Allah's guidance. This teaches us to take ownership of our spiritual journey rather than passively accept inherited beliefs without reflection.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And there had certainly come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him; so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], "We were not doing any evil." But, yes! Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what you used to do.
ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Then We revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allāh.
وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۚ إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And do not exchange the covenant of Allāh for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allāh is best for you, if only you could know.