ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَكِيلٌ 102
Translations
That is Allāh, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.
Transliteration
Dhālikumu-Allāhu Rabbukum, lā ilāha illā Huwa, Khāliqu kulli shay'in, fa'budūhu, wa Huwa 'alā kulli shay'in Wakīl.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a comprehensive declaration of Allah's oneness (Tawhīd) and His exclusive right to worship. Allah is introduced as the Lord of all creation, the only deity worthy of worship, and the Creator of all things, commanding believers to worship Him alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah synthesizes the core message of Islamic monotheism—that Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Object of worship—and that His guardianship and care extend over all creation, necessitating complete reliance upon Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes a series of proofs for Allah's oneness presented throughout Surah Al-An'am, a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period when polytheism was prevalent in Arabia. The ayah serves as a climactic affirmation of monotheism, summarizing the arguments against idolatry and the necessity of exclusive worship of Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Hadith of Jibril (Sahih Muslim) wherein the Prophet ﷺ defines Islām, which fundamentally requires the testimony 'Lā ilāha illā-Allāh' (there is no deity except Allah), directly reflects the core message of this ayah's assertion of strict monotheism.
Themes
Key Lesson
For modern believers, this ayah is a powerful reminder that true worship requires undivided devotion to Allah alone, free from associating partners with Him in belief, practice, or reliance. It encourages complete trust in Allah's providential care and guardianship over all affairs, fostering spiritual security and inner peace rooted in monotheistic conviction.
Related Ayahs
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Those are the ones whom Allāh has guided, so from their guidance take an example. Say, "I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment. It is not but a reminder for the worlds."
لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."
أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ نُورًا يَمْشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom? Thus it has been made pleasing to the disbelievers that which they were doing.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لِّيَقُولُوٓا۟ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنۢ بَيْنِنَآ ۗ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And thus We have tried some of them through others that they [i.e., the disbelievers] might say, "Is it these whom Allāh has favored among us?" Is not Allāh most knowing of those who are grateful?