فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَلِرَبِّكَ ٱلْبَنَاتُ وَلَهُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ 149
Translations
So inquire of them, [O Muḥammad], "Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?
Transliteration
Fasta-ftihim a-li-rabbika al-banat wa-lahumu al-banun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to the polytheists who attributed daughters to Allah while claiming sons for themselves—a clear logical inconsistency and injustice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse exposes the absurdity and contradiction in the pagan Arabs' belief system, as they considered daughters inferior yet falsely ascribed them to the Most High. The verse serves as a powerful refutation of their false doctrines and their own prejudiced social values.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah As-Saffat's broader refutation of polytheistic beliefs, specifically addressing the pagan Arab practice of attributing angels (whom they believed were the daughters of Allah) to God while reserving sons for themselves. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islamic preaching when idolaters openly mocked the concept of Allah's oneness and made illogical claims about divine attributes.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly quotes this verse, Sahih Bukhari contains reports of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) condemnation of those who attributed partners to Allah and false characteristics to Him. The general principle is reinforced in various hadiths condemning the attribution of daughters to Allah as mentioned in Surah An-Nahl 16:57.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize logical contradictions in false beliefs and to understand that attributing imperfections or arbitrary distinctions to Allah contradicts His absolute perfection. It also subtly critiques societal prejudices, reminding us that what we consider inferior should not be ascribed to the Divine.