وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّا 81
Translations
And they have taken besides Allāh [false] deities that they would be for them [a source of] honor.
Transliteration
Wa-ittakhadoo min dooni-Allahi aalihatan liyakoonoo lahum izzah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the polytheists who took false deities besides Allah, falsely believing these idols would grant them power, honor, and protection (izzah). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that the Arabs worshipped idols expecting them to provide worldly might and status, yet these lifeless objects could neither benefit nor harm anyone. The ayah emphasizes the futility and irrationality of shirk (associating partners with Allah), as only Allah possesses true power and can grant genuine honor.
Revelation Context
Surah Maryam, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam, addresses the pagan Arabs' idol worship directly. This ayah fits within the broader Meccan context of refuting polytheism and emphasizing Allah's absolute oneness. The surah uses the story of Prophet Zachariah and Mary to contrast true monotheistic faith with the false beliefs of the disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever dies while calling upon another besides Allah will enter the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari 4497). Also relevant: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3154).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true honor, power, and protection come only from Allah alone, not from wealth, status, or material possessions. Seeking izzah (honor and strength) through anything other than obedience to Allah is a delusion that leads to spiritual destruction.
Related Ayahs
وَمِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
And of all things We created two mates [i.e., counterparts]; perhaps you will remember.
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allāh, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allāh.
إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَـٰنًا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَٱبْتَغُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرِّزْقَ وَٱعْبُدُوهُ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
You only worship, besides Allāh, idols, and you produce a falsehood. Indeed, those you worship besides Allāh do not possess for you [the power of] provision. So seek from Allāh provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."
قَالَ لَهُۥ صَاحِبُهُۥ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَكَفَرْتَ بِٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰكَ رَجُلًا
His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man?