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7. Al-A'raaf

The Heights · Meccan · 206 ayahs

سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ

Reading Tafsir Ibn Kathir by Hafiz Ibn Kathir

Ayahs 191–200 of 206

191

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves] created?

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:191Listen in Qur'an →
192

وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ لَهُمْ نَصْرًۭا وَلَآ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَنصُرُونَ

And the false deities are unable to [give] them help, nor can they help themselves.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:192Listen in Qur'an →
193

وَإِن تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ لَا يَتَّبِعُوكُمْ ۚ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ أَدَعَوْتُمُوهُمْ أَمْ أَنتُمْ صَٰمِتُونَ

And if you [believers] invite them to guidance, they will not follow you. It is all the same for you whether you invite them or you are silent.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:193Listen in Qur'an →
194

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ عِبَادٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ ۖ فَٱدْعُوهُمْ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

Indeed, those you [polytheists] call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:194Listen in Qur'an →
195

أَلَهُمْ أَرْجُلٌۭ يَمْشُونَ بِهَآ ۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ أَيْدٍۢ يَبْطِشُونَ بِهَآ ۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌۭ يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَآ ۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ ءَاذَانٌۭ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۗ قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَكُمْ ثُمَّ كِيدُونِ فَلَا تُنظِرُونِ

Do they have feet by which they walk? Or do they have hands by which they strike? Or do they have eyes by which they see? Or do they have ears by which they hear? Say, [O Muhammad], "Call your 'partners' and then conspire against me and give me no respite.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:195Listen in Qur'an →
196

إِنَّ وَلِۦِّىَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

Indeed, my protector is Allah, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:196Listen in Qur'an →
197

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَكُمْ وَلَآ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَنصُرُونَ

And those you call upon besides Him are unable to help you, nor can they help themselves."

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:197Listen in Qur'an →
198

وَإِن تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ لَا يَسْمَعُوا۟ ۖ وَتَرَىٰهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ

And if you invite them to guidance, they do not hear; and you see them looking at you while they do not see.

Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created (191)No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves (192)And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent (193)Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful (194)Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite (195)Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous (196)And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves (197)And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not. (198)

Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own. Allah said,

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?) meaning, 'Do you associate with Allah others that neither create, nor have power to create anything?' Allah said in another Ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ - مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

(O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His rightful estimate. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty)[22:73-74].

Allah states that if all false gods of the disbelievers gather their strength, they would not be able to create a fly. Rather, if the fly steals anything from them, no matter how insignificant, and flew away, they would not be able to retrieve it. Therefore, if an object is this weak, how can it be worshipped and invoked for provisions and aid? This is why Allah said,

لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ

(...who created nothing but they themselves are created?) these worshipped objects themselves were created and made. Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil proclaimed,

أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

("Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?")[37:95] …

Al-A'raaf 7:198Listen in Qur'an →
199

خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَٰهِلِينَ

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf (the good), and turn away from the foolish (don't punish them)(199)And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower (200)

Showing Forgiveness

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on Allah's statement,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ

(Show forgiveness) "Allah commanded [Prophet Muhammad ﷺ] to show forgiveness and turn away from the idolators for ten years. Afterwards Allah ordered him to be harsh with them."

And more than one narration from Mujahid says, "From the [bad] behavior and actions of the people, of those who have not committed espionage." And Hashim bin 'Urwah said that his father said, "Allah ordered Allah's Messenger ﷺ to pardon the people for their behavior."

And in one narration, "pardon what I have allowed you of their behavior. In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is recorded that Hisham reported from his father 'Urwah from his brother 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr who said; "[The Ayah];

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ

(Show forgiveness) was only revealed about the peoples [bad] character."

There is a narration from Mughirah from Hisham from his father from Ibn 'Umar; and another from Hisham from his father from 'A'ishah, both of whom said similarly. And Allah knows best.

Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Yunus said that Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah narrated that Umay said, "When Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this Ayah,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf (what is good), and turn away from the foolish) to His Prophet, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked,

مَا هَذَا يَا جِبْرِيلُ

('What does it mean, O Jibril?) Jibril said, 'Allah commands you to forgive those who wronged you, give to those who deprived you, and keep relations with those who cut theirs with you.'"

Al-Bukhari said, "Allah said,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf and turn away from the ignorant).

Al-'Urf', means, righteousness." Al-Bukhari next recorded from Ibn 'Abbas that he said, "'Uyaynah bin Hisn bin Hudhayfah stayed with his nephew Al-Hur bin Qays, who was among the people whom 'Umar used to have near him, for 'Umar used to like to have the reciters of the Qur'an (who memorized it) near him and would listen to their opinion, regardless of whether they were old or young men. 'Uyaynah said to his nephew, 'O my nephew! You are close to this chief ('Umar), so ask for permission for me to see him.' Al-Hur said 'I will ask him for you,' and he asked 'Umar for permission for 'Uyaynah to meet him, and 'Umar gave him permission. When 'Uyaynah entered on 'Umar, he said, 'O Ibn Al-Khattab! You neither give to us sufficiently nor rule with justice between us.' 'Umar became so angry that he almost punished 'Uyaynah. However, Al-Hur said, 'O Chief of he Faithful! Allah, the Exalted, said to His Prophet ﷺ,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf, and turn away from the foolish)

Verily this man ('Uyaynah) is one of the fools!' By Allah, 'Umar did not do anything after he heard that Ayah being recited, and …

Al-A'raaf 7:199Listen in Qur'an →
200

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ نَزْغٌۭ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.

Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf (the good), and turn away from the foolish (don't punish them)(199)And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower (200)

Showing Forgiveness

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on Allah's statement,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ

(Show forgiveness) "Allah commanded [Prophet Muhammad ﷺ] to show forgiveness and turn away from the idolators for ten years. Afterwards Allah ordered him to be harsh with them."

And more than one narration from Mujahid says, "From the [bad] behavior and actions of the people, of those who have not committed espionage." And Hashim bin 'Urwah said that his father said, "Allah ordered Allah's Messenger ﷺ to pardon the people for their behavior."

And in one narration, "pardon what I have allowed you of their behavior. In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is recorded that Hisham reported from his father 'Urwah from his brother 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr who said; "[The Ayah];

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ

(Show forgiveness) was only revealed about the peoples [bad] character."

There is a narration from Mughirah from Hisham from his father from Ibn 'Umar; and another from Hisham from his father from 'A'ishah, both of whom said similarly. And Allah knows best.

Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Yunus said that Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah narrated that Umay said, "When Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this Ayah,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf (what is good), and turn away from the foolish) to His Prophet, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked,

مَا هَذَا يَا جِبْرِيلُ

('What does it mean, O Jibril?) Jibril said, 'Allah commands you to forgive those who wronged you, give to those who deprived you, and keep relations with those who cut theirs with you.'"

Al-Bukhari said, "Allah said,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf and turn away from the ignorant).

Al-'Urf', means, righteousness." Al-Bukhari next recorded from Ibn 'Abbas that he said, "'Uyaynah bin Hisn bin Hudhayfah stayed with his nephew Al-Hur bin Qays, who was among the people whom 'Umar used to have near him, for 'Umar used to like to have the reciters of the Qur'an (who memorized it) near him and would listen to their opinion, regardless of whether they were old or young men. 'Uyaynah said to his nephew, 'O my nephew! You are close to this chief ('Umar), so ask for permission for me to see him.' Al-Hur said 'I will ask him for you,' and he asked 'Umar for permission for 'Uyaynah to meet him, and 'Umar gave him permission. When 'Uyaynah entered on 'Umar, he said, 'O Ibn Al-Khattab! You neither give to us sufficiently nor rule with justice between us.' 'Umar became so angry that he almost punished 'Uyaynah. However, Al-Hur said, 'O Chief of he Faithful! Allah, the Exalted, said to His Prophet ﷺ,

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf, and turn away from the foolish)

Verily this man ('Uyaynah) is one of the fools!' By Allah, 'Umar did not do anything after he heard that Ayah being recited, and …

Al-A'raaf 7:200Listen in Qur'an →

Commentary: Tafsir Ibn Kathir by Hafiz Ibn Kathir. Qur'an text and translation via AlQuran Cloud.