أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّنِى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ 2
Translations
[Through a messenger, saying], "Do not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings,"
Transliteration
Allaa ta'budoo illa Allaha innani lakum minhu nadheerun wa basheer
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains the core message of Prophet Hud to his people: the command to worship Allah alone and reject all forms of polytheism and idolatry. Hud presents himself as a warner (nadhir) sent to caution against divine punishment and a bearer of good news (bashir) for those who obey. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari emphasize that this statement encapsulates the fundamental message of all prophets—tawhid (monotheism)—and establishes Hud's prophetic mission with both warning and glad tidings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the beginning of Surah Hud, which is a Meccan surah addressing the polytheists of Mecca. It presents Hud's message to the Ad people as a historical example and parallel to the Prophet Muhammad's preaching to the Quraysh. The surah uses these past prophetic narratives to strengthen the Prophet and warn his contemporaries of the consequences of rejecting monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'I have been sent as a warner and a bringer of good news (nadhir wa mubashshir)' (Sahih Bukhari 4:56:667). This hadith directly mirrors Hud's characterization of his role, establishing the continuity of prophetic mission.
Themes
Key Lesson
The ayah reminds believers that the essence of all religions revealed by Allah is the worship of Him alone, free from idolatry. For modern Muslims, this serves as a call to examine their spiritual priorities and ensure that no worldly concerns, desires, or influences compete with their devotion to Allah.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allāh, Lord of the worlds.
وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَـٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
And whoever invokes besides Allāh another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.
۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا
And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا
And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allāh, so do not invoke with Allāh anyone.