ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَأَلْقِيَاهُ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلشَّدِيدِ 26
Translations
Who made [as equal] with Allāh another deity; then throw him into the severe punishment."
Transliteration
Al-ladhi ja'ala ma'a Allahi ilahan akhara fa-alqiyahu fi al-'adhabi ash-shadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who associate partners with Allah (shirk) and will be cast into severe punishment. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain this as a reference to the fate of polytheists on the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that associating partners with Allah is the gravest sin and carries the most severe consequences. The ayah serves as a stern warning against idolatry in all its forms, demonstrating Allah's absolute justice in punishing those who reject His oneness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Qaf, a Meccan surah that emphasizes themes of resurrection, divine accountability, and the punishment awaiting disbelievers. It fits within the broader Meccan context of early Islamic preaching against polytheism and the Quraysh's worship of idols. The surah uses vivid imagery of the afterlife to warn the polytheists of Mecca about the consequences of their beliefs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah (shirk), for verily Allah has forbidden Paradise to the one who dies while associating partners with Him' (related to themes in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized that shirk is the only unforgivable sin if one dies upon it, as mentioned in Surah An-Nisa 4:48.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers the paramount importance of maintaining pure monotheism and warns against all forms of shirk, whether through explicit idol worship or subtle forms of associating others with Allah's attributes and authority. For contemporary Muslims, it serves as a reminder to scrutinize their beliefs and actions to ensure they truly worship Allah alone, without giving priority or reverence to anyone or anything besides Him.