ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ 40
Translations
Allāh is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your "partners" who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi khalaqakum thumma razaqakum thumma yumiitukum thumma yuhyiikum hal min shurakaaikum man yafalu min dhalikum min shay'i subhanahu wa ta'ala 'amma yushrikun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a logical argument against polytheism by highlighting Allah's exclusive control over the cycle of creation, sustenance, death, and resurrection—powers that no partners (idols or deities) possess. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the sequence of these divine actions demonstrates Allah's absolute dominion and wisdom, and by posing the rhetorical question 'Do any of your partners do anything of this?' the ayah exposes the futility of associating partners with Allah. The concluding declaration of Allah's transcendence (subhanahu) underscores that such shirk (association) is a grave logical and spiritual error.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Rum, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of Islamic preaching when the Quraysh polytheists were prominent opponents. The surah's broader context addresses the signs of Allah's power in creation and providence, refuting pagan arguments and reinforcing tawhid (monotheism). The ayah fits within the surah's apologetic purpose of convincing the Meccan idolaters through reason and observable reality.
Related Hadiths
The hadith from Sahih Muslim (2677) where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever dies while calling upon another besides Allah as an equal to Allah will meet Allah while He is angry with him.' This relates directly to the ayah's condemnation of shirk. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3445) on the greatness of tawhid reinforces the central message of exclusive monotheism.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that belief in Allah's oneness should be grounded in rational reflection on His observable powers in our lives—He alone creates us, sustains us, and will resurrect us. For modern believers, it encourages us to recognize our complete dependence on Allah and to purify our intentions by directing all worship and gratitude solely to Him, rejecting any subtle forms of associating partners with Allah in our hearts and actions.