أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ 35
Translations
Or have We sent down to them an authority [i.e., a proof or scripture], and it speaks of what they have been associating with Him?
Transliteration
Am anzalna AAalayhim sultanaan fahuwa yatakallamu bima kanoo bihi yushrikoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah questions the disbelievers rhetorically: 'Have We sent down to them an authority that speaks in favor of what they associate with Allah in shirk?' The verse challenges the polytheists of Mecca by asserting that they have no divine authorization or proof for their idolatrous practices. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that the disbelievers lack any scriptural evidence or divinely-revealed authority to support their polytheism, and their claims are baseless fabrications.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Ar-Rum (Chapter 30), a Meccan surah that addresses the polytheists' denial and lack of evidence for their shirk. The broader context of verses 29-35 deals with the disbelievers' obstinate rejection of tawheed (monotheism) despite clear signs. The verse is part of Allah's refutation of their idolatrous beliefs and their invention of partners with God.
Related Hadiths
The principle referenced relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'The most unjust of people is he who ascribes partners to Allah' (reported by various scholars). Additionally, the Hadith 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah enters the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) reflects the gravity of shirk condemned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that polytheism and the worship of false deities have no rational, scriptural, or divine foundation—they are purely human inventions. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to reject any religious practices or beliefs that lack clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah, and to stand firm in monotheistic faith.