وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا 44
Translations
And that it is He who causes death and gives life
Transliteration
Wa-annahu huwa amaata wa-ahya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone possesses the power over life and death, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and control over all creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a clear refutation of polytheism and idolatry, establishing that only Allah has the authority to grant life and cause death—powers that cannot be shared with any partner or intercessor. The statement serves as both a theological declaration and a humbling reminder of human powerlessness before the Divine Will.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Najm is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh were firmly entrenched in polytheistic practices. This ayah appears within a passage describing Allah's attributes and uniqueness (53:39-56), directly confronting the idolaters' false beliefs about their gods having any real power or influence over human affairs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah,' (Sahih Bukhari 4:55:556). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Prophet's night journey references divine knowledge of life and death: 'No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die' (Sahih Muslim 2858), reinforcing that only Allah controls these matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to place complete trust in Allah alone and recognize that no created being—whether an idol, saint, or spiritual intermediary—has any power over life and death. It encourages humility and submission, reminding us that all worldly power is ultimately illusory and that only obedience to Allah's will leads to true security.
Related Ayahs
ءَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ بِضُرٍّ لَّا تُغْنِ عَنِّى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُنقِذُونِ
Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
وَلَئِن شِئْنَا لَنَذْهَبَنَّ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُ لَكَ بِهِۦ عَلَيْنَا وَكِيلًا
And if We willed, We could surely do away with that which We revealed to you. Then you would not find for yourself concerning it an advocate against Us.
وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ
And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.