لَوْ كَانَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ءَالِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا ۖ وَكُلٌّ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ 99
Translations
Had these [false deities] been [actual] gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.
Transliteration
Law kana haaulaai alihatam ma waradooha wa kullun feeha khālidoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the polytheists' claim that their idols are deities worthy of worship by employing a logical argument: if these carved idols were truly gods, they would not themselves enter Hellfire, yet they will be cast into it alongside their worshippers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse emphasizes the powerlessness of idols—their inability to save themselves demonstrates their falsity as objects of worship. Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as a decisive proof against shirk (polytheism), showing that false gods cannot even escape punishment, let alone grant salvation to their followers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Anbya, which discusses the tawhid (oneness of God) and refutes idolatry through various arguments presented to the Quraysh during the early Meccan period. The broader context (21:97-100) describes the Day of Judgment when idols and their worshippers enter Hellfire together, making this a thematic discussion of shirk's ultimate consequences rather than a response to a specific historical incident.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3439) where the Prophet ﷺ said regarding idols: 'They will be thrown into the Fire' relates thematically. Additionally, the hadith in Tirmidhi regarding the intercession of idols being rejected on the Day of Judgment supports this ayah's meaning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that false objects of worship—whether material idols or abstract values—cannot save anyone, and that logical reasoning (hikmah) is a valid tool for conveying Islamic monotheism. It reminds us to place trust solely in Allah and recognize the futility of depending on anything besides Him.