يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًٔا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ 73
Translations
O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allāh will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for it [i.e., that purpose]. And if the fly should steal from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha an-nasu duriba matsalun fastamiʿu lahu, inna alladhina tadʿuna min duni-llahi lan yakhluqu dhubaban wa-law ijtamaʿu lahu, wa-in yaslubhumu adh-dhubab shayʾan la yastanqidhuh minhu, daʿufa at-talibu wa-al-matlub.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful parable demonstrating the absolute weakness of idols and false deities worshipped alongside or instead of Allah. The example of a fly illustrates that these false gods cannot create even the smallest creature, nor can they retrieve something stolen from them by a fly—emphasizing their complete powerlessness. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this serves as a profound refutation of polytheism, showing both the weakness of the seekers (idolaters) and the sought-after deities.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Al-Hajj, which addresses the rituals of pilgrimage and monotheism. It is part of a broader Medinan discourse refuting idol-worship and polytheism, directed at both Muslims and those clinging to pre-Islamic practices. The context follows verses discussing Allah's power and the futility of associating partners with Him.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said in various narrations (Tirmidhi, Ahmad) that on the Day of Judgment, idols and those who worshipped them will be cast into Hellfire, demonstrating their ultimate powerlessness. This complements the ayah's theme of the utter weakness of false deities.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize the logical absurdity of polytheism and strengthens faith in Allah's absolute uniqueness and power. For contemporary Muslims, it serves as a reminder to scrutinize what we place our trust and hope in, ensuring our reliance is solely upon Allah, the Only True Sustainer.