أَفَحَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ عِبَادِى مِن دُونِىٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ نُزُلًا 102
Translations
Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.
Transliteration
Afa-hasiba alladhina kafaru an yattakhidhu ibadi min duni awliya. Inna a'tadna jahannama lil-kafirin nuzulan.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes the disbelievers for their arrogance in supposing they can take Allah's servants (the angels or believers) as protectors and allies instead of Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a rhetorical reproach (istifham inkari) condemning shirk (polytheism) and false guardianship, with the ayah concluding by affirming that Hell (Jahannam) has been prepared as an unwelcoming reception (nuzul) for those who reject Allah's monotheism.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Kahf, a Meccan chapter revealed during a period of intense polytheistic practices in Mecca. The broader context addresses the themes of tawhid (monotheism) and the consequences of rejecting Allah's oneness, likely responding to the Meccan pagans' intercession beliefs and their reliance on idols and false deities as mediators.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3894): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'No one will enter Paradise except a believer,' which reinforces the theme that only those who maintain sincere tawhid will attain salvation. Additionally, Muslim (2865) records traditions about intercession being exclusively in Allah's hands, directly related to the ayah's condemnation of taking false awliya (guardians).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must recognize that all guardianship, protection, and support ultimately come from Allah alone, and that turning to false intermediaries or deities—whether literal idols or metaphorical substitutes like wealth, status, or people—constitutes a grave spiritual error. This ayah reminds us to examine our hearts and ensure our primary allegiance and trust are directed exclusively toward Allah.