سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 163

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 2 · Page 24

وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿163﴾
And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God - Allâh), Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ wa-ilāhukum And your God
إِلَـٰهٌۭ ilāhun (is) God
وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ wāḥidun one (only)
لَّآ (there is) no
إِلَـٰهَ ilāha god
إِلَّا illā except
هُوَ huwa Him
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ l-raḥmānu the Most Gracious
ٱلرَّحِيمُ l-raḥīmu the Most Merciful

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.

In the above verse, a warning is given for concealing the truth, and now in this verse it is stated that the first thing that must be openly declared is the matter of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah). (Qurtubi)

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.

163. 1. In this verse, the call to monotheism is given again. This call to monotheism was incomprehensible for the polytheists of Makkah; they said (Has he made all the gods into one God? This is indeed a strange thing). Therefore, in the next verse, the arguments for this monotheism are being presented.

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.

163. Your God is only One God; there is no deity except Him [120]. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Reason for Believing in Many Gods; Why Worship Only One Allah?
This address is actually to the polytheists of Makkah, who had made up many gods and thought: how could a single Allah manage the entire vast system of the universe alone? This idea could not enter their minds. Therefore, they had assigned different gods for different affairs. And all the ancient civilizations, such as the Indian, Roman, Egyptian, and Greek civilizations, had devised similar systems of deities. Even among Muslims, most people, though not verbally, but practically, have adopted such beliefs and practices. All these people are addressed by this verse. The reason for this is that these people are not granted the recognition of Allah, and this subject has appeared in the Quran countless times—sometimes briefly, sometimes in detail and with arguments. Therefore, the details of this subject will come at another place.