سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ

Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 81

Mary · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 311

وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّا ﴿81﴾
And they have taken (for worship) âlihah (gods) besides Allâh, that they might give them honour, power and glory (and also protect them from Allâh’s punishment).
وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ wa-ittakhadhū And they have taken
مِن min besides Allah
دُونِ dūni besides Allah
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi besides Allah
ءَالِهَةًۭ ālihatan gods
لِّيَكُونُوا۟ liyakūnū that they may be
لَهُمْ lahum for them
عِزًّۭا ʿizzan an honor

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 81){وَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ اٰلِهَةً … :} After the mention of resurrection and gathering, now there is a negation of the deities they have made, whether they are humans, angels, jinn, idols, shrines, or graves. That is, besides Allah, they have made deities so that in times of need and necessity, they can intercede with Allah and get their work done, or in times of distress, they can ask Allah to remove it, or that at the time of death and on the Day of Judgment, they can save them from punishment, and in this way, they become helpers and honor for them. As Allah has mentioned the same belief of the polytheists in Surah Yunus (18) and Surah Zumar (3), whereas no one can intercede without Allah’s permission, nor will anyone be able to do so. In Ayat al-Kursi it is said: «{ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهٗۤ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِهٖ [ البقرۃ : ۲۵۵ ] “Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?”

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

And they have taken gods besides Allah so that they may be helpers [74] for them.

[74]
The Literal Meaning of 'Izzah':

The word 'izzah' means that their deities will become a cause of honor for them, and in the Arabic language, honor refers to a person being so powerful and dominant that no one can lay a hand on him (the opposite of humiliation). Their deities being a cause of honor for them means that they will be in their support, so that no opponent can lay a hand on them.