قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَـٰبِدِينَ 81
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."
Transliteration
Qul in kana lir-rahmani walad fa-ana awwalu al-abideen
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to declare that if the Most Merciful (Allah) had a child, he would be the first to worship that child—a rhetorical statement that absurdly refutes the pagan claim that Allah has offspring. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a powerful rhetorical device (istidlal) proving the impossibility of Allah having children, since no rational person would accept such a premise. The ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute oneness (tawhid) and transcendence from any partnership or familial relationships.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Az-Zukhruf, which addresses pagan Arab beliefs, particularly the Christian and polytheistic claims about Jesus being the son of God, and Arab idol-worship attributing daughters to Allah. The surah was revealed in Mecca to counter these false theological concepts and reinforce strict monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The broader context relates to numerous hadiths about tawhid (monotheism), such as the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet emphasizes that the greatest sin is shirk (associating partners with Allah). Additionally, Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), which states 'There is nothing like unto Him,' complements this message structurally.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to approach false theological claims with decisive clarity and logical refutation, reminding us that Allah's oneness is so fundamental that accepting His having children would be absurd and contradictory. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and defending Islamic creed with both intellectual conviction and clear communication.