وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَـٰهٌ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَـٰهٌ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 84
Translations
And it is He [i.e., Allāh] who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhi fi as-sama'i ilahun wa fi al-ardi ilahun wa huwa al-hakimu al-alim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the absolute oneness of Allah (Tawhid) by declaring that He alone is God in the heavens and on earth, emphasizing His universal sovereignty over all creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as a refutation of polytheism and idol-worship, particularly addressing the Meccan pagans' false claim of multiple deities. The concluding attributes—'Al-Hakimu' (The All-Wise) and 'Al-Alim' (The All-Knowing)—emphasize that Allah's dominion is governed by perfect wisdom and complete knowledge of all affairs.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zukhruf is a Meccan surah focused on refuting polytheism and idolatry prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia. This ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah as a powerful affirmation of monotheism, addressing the spiritual confusion of the Meccan disbelievers who attributed partners to Allah despite His clear signs of unity in creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah (Shirk)' (Sahih Bukhari 4476). Additionally, the Quranic principle in Surah An-Nahl 16:36 states that Allah sent messengers to every people saying 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut,' directly related to rejecting false deities.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true faith requires acknowledging Allah's absolute oneness in all aspects of life—spiritually, morally, and practically—and that this conviction should inform every decision and relationship. It reminds believers that Allah's perfect wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge govern the universe, encouraging trust in His decree and obedience to His commands.
Related Ayahs
قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قُل لِّلَّهِ ۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?" Say, "To Allāh." He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who will lose themselves [that Day] do not believe.
ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَـٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Allāh presents an example: a man [i.e., slave] owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man - are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allāh! But most of them do not know.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
Indeed, Allāh is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.'"
لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا۟ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.