فَإِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ 161
Translations
So indeed, you [disbelievers] and whatever you worship,
Transliteration
Fa-innakum wa-ma ta'budun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Allah's address to the disbelievers, asserting that they and all their idols will be gathered together in Hell as fuel for the fire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse emphasizes the futility of idol worship and the inevitable consequences awaiting those who associate partners with Allah, as their false gods will be unable to help them in the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which addresses the disbelievers of Mecca who engaged in polytheistic practices. The broader context of this passage (37:157-170) is Allah's refutation of the false claims of idolaters regarding idolatry and resurrection, warning them of their ultimate fate.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'I am the Most Self-Sufficient, I do not need any partner. Whoever does an action for someone else's sake in addition to mine will be left with that person' (Sahih Muslim 2985), emphasizing that worship must be exclusively for Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that exclusive devotion to Allah alone is essential, and all forms of polytheism—whether worshipping idols, wealth, status, or other created things—will result in loss and regret on the Day of Judgment. Modern readers should reflect on what they truly place their trust and hope in, ensuring their ultimate allegiance is to Allah.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَصِيًّا
O my father, do not worship [i.e., obey] Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient.
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.
وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبِّى عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
And in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allāh. [Say], "That is Allāh, my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back."
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favor of Allāh that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.