سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ
Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 74
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿74﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَلَا
falā
So (do) not
تَضْرِبُوا۟
taḍribū
put forth
لِلَّهِ
lillahi
for Allah
ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ
l-amthāla
the similitude
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
knows
وَأَنتُمْ
wa-antum
and you
لَا
lā
(do) not
تَعْلَمُونَ
taʿlamūna
know
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
Do not set forth [73] parables for Allah. Allah knows, and you do not know.
[73]
The Theory of the Need for Multiple Gods:
Since the concept of Allah held by the polytheists is itself incorrect, any example they attribute to Allah has nothing to do with reality. They consider Allah to be like the kings or rulers of the world, whereas Allah is free from any resemblance to His creation, so they cannot present a correct example regarding Allah. They think that just as kings have to listen to their ministers and nobles because they fear that they might turn against them and cause rebellion or some other mischief, similarly, prophets, saints, elders, avatars, and thakurs, and these deities of ours, are such intercessors in the court of Allah that Allah must listen to their intercession, and even if the Day of Judgment comes, they will save us from Allah. Their second concept or belief is that just as kings cannot do all their work themselves nor listen to the pleas of all people, therefore, they need nobles, ministers, and countless other agents. In the same way, Allah needs His close ones who convey people's pleas to Him, and then, through their mediation, the supplicant receives a response. Similarly, if one wants to ask Allah for wealth, children, or any other good, the mediation of these close ones is necessary. These are the misleading beliefs that the polytheists have fabricated for their worldly interests. These beliefs are the foundation of most forms of shirk. And in the Quran, their refutation is mentioned repeatedly. And the warning is given that when you cannot know the reality of Allah, do not form incorrect concepts about Him, nor give examples regarding Him.
[73]
The Theory of the Need for Multiple Gods:
Since the concept of Allah held by the polytheists is itself incorrect, any example they attribute to Allah has nothing to do with reality. They consider Allah to be like the kings or rulers of the world, whereas Allah is free from any resemblance to His creation, so they cannot present a correct example regarding Allah. They think that just as kings have to listen to their ministers and nobles because they fear that they might turn against them and cause rebellion or some other mischief, similarly, prophets, saints, elders, avatars, and thakurs, and these deities of ours, are such intercessors in the court of Allah that Allah must listen to their intercession, and even if the Day of Judgment comes, they will save us from Allah. Their second concept or belief is that just as kings cannot do all their work themselves nor listen to the pleas of all people, therefore, they need nobles, ministers, and countless other agents. In the same way, Allah needs His close ones who convey people's pleas to Him, and then, through their mediation, the supplicant receives a response. Similarly, if one wants to ask Allah for wealth, children, or any other good, the mediation of these close ones is necessary. These are the misleading beliefs that the polytheists have fabricated for their worldly interests. These beliefs are the foundation of most forms of shirk. And in the Quran, their refutation is mentioned repeatedly. And the warning is given that when you cannot know the reality of Allah, do not form incorrect concepts about Him, nor give examples regarding Him.
