فَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُعَذَّبِينَ 213
Translations
So do not invoke with Allāh another deity and [thus] be among the punished.
Transliteration
Fala tad'u ma'a Allahi ilahan akhara fatakuna mina al-mu'aththabin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a direct prohibition against associating partners with Allah (shirk) and a stern warning of divine punishment for those who commit this grave sin. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this command addresses all humanity, particularly polytheists, asserting that invoking or worshipping any deity alongside Allah will result in severe torment. The ayah underscores the absolute monotheism (tawhid) that is the foundation of Islamic faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission when polytheism was rampant in Arabia. The surah addresses the disbelievers' rejection of the Prophet and their persistence in idolatry, making this verse a timely warning against shirk and encouragement toward strict monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah (shirk)' (Sahih Bukhari 6871). Additionally, 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire' (Sahih Muslim 93).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that sincere devotion to Allah alone is non-negotiable and central to salvation; any compromise with shirk—whether in belief, worship, or obedience—severs one's connection to divine mercy and invites divine wrath. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes guarding against subtle forms of shirk such as placing excessive trust in created beings, wealth, or status above reliance on Allah.