إِن يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ إِنَـٰثًا وَإِن يَدْعُونَ إِلَّا شَيْطَـٰنًا مَّرِيدًا 117
Translations
They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan,
Transliteration
In yad'ūna min dūnihī illā ināthan wa in yad'ūna illā shayṭānan marīdā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns polytheistic idolatry, stating that those who worship besides Allah invoke nothing but female deities (goddesses like Al-Lāt, Al-'Uzzā, and Manāt worshipped by pre-Islamic Arabs), and in reality, they are only calling upon Satan, the rebellious one. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurṭubī emphasize that the mention of 'female' deities underscores the absurdity of shirk, as the pagans attributed daughters to Allah while denying them for themselves, and that all false worship ultimately leads to obedience of Satan regardless of the intermediaries invoked.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisā's broader discussion of monotheism and refutation of shirk (polytheism). It specifically addresses the Arabian pagan practice of worshipping female idols, which was widespread during the Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic period). The context follows discussions on the oneness of Allah and the consequences of associating partners with Him.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever dies while associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire' (Sahih Muslim 93). Additionally, the hadith in Sunan At-Tirmidhi describes how shirk is the greatest sin that Allah will not forgive.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that any form of worship directed toward other than Allah—whether through idols, saints, or false deities—ultimately constitutes obedience to Satan and separation from divine guidance. Modern readers should reflect on how subtle forms of shirk (materialism, nationalism, celebrity worship) can replace proper devotion to Allah.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَـٰدِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُوا۟ كُسَالَىٰ يُرَآءُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allāh, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allāh except a little,
إِلَّا ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا
Except for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way -
يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ سُنَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Allāh wants to make clear to you [the lawful from the unlawful] and guide you to the [good] practices of those before you and to accept your repentance. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
وَإِذَا جَآءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْنِ أَوِ ٱلْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰٓ أُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَنۢبِطُونَهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَٱتَّبَعْتُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And when there comes to them something [i.e., information] about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allāh upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.