مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ ٱلْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ 41
Translations
The example of those who take allies other than Allāh is like that of the spider who takes [i.e., constructs] a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.
Transliteration
Mathalu alladhina ittakhadhu min duni Allah awliya ka-mathali al-ankabuti ittakhadt baitan wa inna awhana al-buyuti la-baytu al-ankabuti law kanu ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a parable comparing those who take protectors besides Allah to a spider that builds a house—yet the spider's web is the weakest of all dwellings. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that just as the spider's delicate web provides no real protection, those who rely on false gods, idols, or powers other than Allah have built their faith on the most fragile foundation. The parable emphasizes the futility and weakness of shirk (associating partners with Allah), as these false allies cannot provide any real benefit or protection on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Ankabut is a Meccan surah revealed during the early persecution of Muslims. This particular ayah appears in a section addressing polytheists and idol-worshippers in Mecca, specifically confronting their practice of taking other beings or objects as intercessors and protectors alongside or instead of Allah. The surah's broader context emphasizes the weakness and irrationality of shirk in contrast to the strength of monotheistic faith.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of tawakkul (reliance on Allah), Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever puts their trust in Allah, He will suffice him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2347). Additionally, the concept of avoiding false protectors aligns with the hadith emphasizing that 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone' (Sahih Bukhari 1269).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that any reliance placed in anything or anyone besides Allah is ultimately fragile and will crumble. In our modern context, it warns against depending on wealth, status, connections, or ideologies as substitutes for genuine faith and obedience to Allah—for only His protection is truly unshakeable.