لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّمَا تَدْعُونَنِىٓ إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَعْوَةٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ مَرَدَّنَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ هُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ 43
Translations
Assuredly, that to which you invite me has no [response to a] supplication in this world or in the Hereafter; and indeed, our return is to Allāh, and indeed, the transgressors will be companions of the Fire.
Transliteration
La jarama annama tad'oonani ilayhi laysa lahu da'watu fi ad-dunya wa la fi al-akhirah wa anna maraddana ilallah wa anna al-musrifin hum ashab an-nar
Tafsir (Explanation)
The believer (the soul of Pharaoh's minister) addresses Pharaoh and his people, declaring that what they call him to worship (idols and false gods) has no basis of prayer or intercession either in this world or the next, and that all affairs return to Allah alone. Ibn Kathir notes this statement emphasizes the absolute powerlessness of false deities and the futility of their worship, while Al-Tabari explains that the believer is asserting the exclusive right of Allah to be worshipped and to grant intercession on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the dialogue in Surah Ghafir where a believing man from Pharaoh's household speaks truth to power, warning his people against disbelief. It occurs in the Meccan period when Muslims faced similar pressure to abandon monotheism, making this historical example deeply relevant to the Prophet's community who were mocked for their faith.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (6565) where the Prophet ﷺ said, 'The most excellent supplication is that on the day of Arafah,' relates to the concept of intercession and supplication being exclusive to Allah. Also relevant is Muslim's report that false gods cannot hear or respond to those who call upon them besides Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that genuine spiritual guidance comes from worshipping Allah alone, and that no intermediary—whether idol, person, or false deity—holds any real power or authority; placing trust in anything besides Allah is both logically and spiritually futile, and this conviction should embolden believers to speak truth even in hostile environments.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ ءَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ
O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allāh, the One, the Prevailing?
وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ
And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep
يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allāh. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.