ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ 73
Translations
Then it will be said to them, "Where is that which you used to associate [with Him in worship]
Transliteration
Thumma qīla lahum ayna mā kuntum tushrikūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be asked: 'Where are those partners you associated with Allah?' This rhetorical question emphasizes the complete abandonment and powerlessness of the false deities that people worshipped, highlighting the futility of shirk (polytheism). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah demonstrates how the idols and false gods will vanish, leaving the polytheists alone and defenseless before Allah's judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ghafir (a Meccan surah), which extensively addresses the consequences of shirk and disbelief on the Day of Judgment. It follows the description of the Hereafter and serves to warn the pagan Meccans about the reality they will face when their false deities prove utterly unable to help or intercede for them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'On the Day of Judgment, each person will come with a good deed and a bad deed, but if he associated partners with Allah, his good deeds would be scattered' (Tirmidhi). Also related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim describing how those who committed shirk will call upon their false deities on the Day of Judgment, but will receive no response.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that whatever we place our hope and trust in besides Allah will ultimately abandon us. Believers should reflect on their own hearts to ensure their worship, devotion, and reliance are directed solely to Allah, lest they face similar questioning and regret in the Hereafter.