أَمْ لَهُ ٱلْبَنَـٰتُ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ 39
Translations
Or has He daughters while you have sons?
Transliteration
Am lahu al-banatu wa lakumu al-banun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah exposes the illogical and unjust practice of pre-Islamic Arabs who attributed daughters to Allah while reserving sons for themselves, considering daughters inferior. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse ridicules such contradictory beliefs, as it would be absurd to assign what one considers disgraceful to the Divine while keeping what one values for oneself. The ayah serves as a powerful refutation of the pagan Arabs' false conceptions about Allah's nature and their discriminatory treatment of daughters.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah At-Tur, a Meccan chapter that addresses the polytheists' false beliefs about Allah's attributes and their rejection of the Hereafter. It is part of a series of rhetorical questions challenging the Quraysh's irrational theological positions and their cultural prejudices, particularly their belief that angels are Allah's daughters—a notion they found shameful for themselves.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever has three daughters and is patient with them, provides for them, and shows them mercy, Paradise is guaranteed for him.' (Sunan Ibn Majah). This hadith complements the ayah by highlighting the spiritual value and blessing of daughters, countering the pre-Islamic Arab devaluation of female children.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to examine our own inherited beliefs and cultural practices critically, ensuring they align with justice and reason rather than perpetuating irrational prejudices. It reminds modern believers to value and honor daughters as blessings from Allah, rejecting any cultural attitudes that diminish their worth.