وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 163
Translations
And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa-ilahukum ilahun wahid, la ilaha illa huwa ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of Tawhid (absolute monotheism), declaring that Allah is One and the only deity worthy of worship. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse serves as the theological foundation of Islam, affirming that there is no god but Allah alone, and that He possesses the attributes of Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Ar-Rahim (The Bestower of Mercy), highlighting His compassion alongside His oneness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears early in Surah Al-Baqarah (revealed in Madinah) and follows the description of the believers in verses 2:1-5. It addresses the diverse audience in Madinah—Muslims, Christians, Jews, and polytheists—and presents a clear theological statement that unifies all believers around the concept of pure monotheism, establishing the doctrinal center of the Qur'an.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari from Abu Hurairah states: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one. Whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise." This relates to understanding Allah's attributes (Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim mentioned in 2:163). Additionally, the hadith of Gabriel (Jibril) in Sahih Muslim describes Tawhid as the first principle of Islam.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the essence of Islamic faith centers on unwavering belief in one God, and that this God combines absolute justice with infinite mercy—providing comfort that monotheistic devotion is not to a distant, harsh deity but to the Most Merciful. For modern readers, it serves as a call to examine their hearts and ensure their worship and trust are directed solely to Allah, free from associating partners with Him in any form.