أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُفَعَآءَ ۚ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ 43
Translations
Or have they taken other than Allāh as intercessors? Say, "Even though they do not possess [power over] anything, nor do they reason?"
Transliteration
Am ittakhazu min duni-Allah shufaʿāʾ, qul aw law kānū lā yamlikūna shayʾan wa lā yaʿqilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the polytheistic practice of taking intercessors besides Allah, asking rhetorically whether these supposed mediators possess any power or understanding. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this directly challenges the Meccan idolaters' belief that their idols could intercede with Allah on their behalf. The ayah establishes that intercessors must themselves possess knowledge and authority, which only Allah possesses absolutely.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Az-Zumar during the early Islamic period when the Quraysh were actively practicing idol worship and intercession through their gods. The broader context of this surah addresses the monotheistic creed and refutes various forms of shirk (polytheism), with this particular verse confronting the specific misconception that intermediaries hold independent power or influence with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The intercession is for me, and I have kept it for my ummah for the Day of Judgment' (Tirmidhi). This hadith clarifies that while the Prophet's intercession on the Day of Judgment is real, it is contingent upon Allah's permission and not an independent power—aligning with the ayah's point that only Allah truly holds authority.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize that their relationship with Allah is direct and personal, and that no intermediary—whether idol, saint, or other being—can independently grant benefit or intercede without Allah's permission. This teaches reliance upon Allah alone and the weakness of any supposed mediator who lacks knowledge, power, or understanding.
Related Ayahs
وَتَرَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ حَآفِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ ٱلْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting [Allāh] with praise of their Lord. And it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said, "[All] praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds."
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَـٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Say, "Then have you considered what you invoke besides Allāh? If Allāh intended me harm, are they removers of His harm; or if He intended me mercy, are they withholders of His mercy?" Say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; upon Him [alone] rely the [wise] reliers."
لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good -
وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ تَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied about Allāh [with] their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a residence for the arrogant?