Surah Al-Baqarah 2:116
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 116 of 286
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا ۗ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ ۖ بَل لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّۭ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ
Translation
They have asserted, ‘God has a child.’ May He be exalted! No! Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, everything devoutly obeys His will.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
The verse (2:116) brings us into a profound reflection on the very essence of God, directly confronting a grave misconception. It reveals Allah's absolute uniqueness and dominion, challenging claims made by various groups during the Prophet Muhammad's peace be upon him mission.
The World of Revelation: Challenging Falsehoods
This verse was revealed at a critical time when the nascent Muslim community faced ideological challenges from different religious groups. The Ayah Context tells us that the address is to those who falsely claimed Allah had a child: the Jews, Christians, and polytheists (mushrikun). As scholars like Mufti Shafi and al-Baghawi explain, this refers to the Jews who called Uzayr (Ezra) the son of God, the Christians who called Isa (Jesus) the son of God, and the Makkah polytheists who considered angels to be daughters of God. This direct rebuke, therefore, speaks to the specific historical realities and theological disputes prevalent in the Prophet's ﷺ era, emphasizing the core Islamic tenet of Tawhid, the absolute Oneness of God.
The gravity of this claim is underscored by a powerful Prophetic narration mentioned by Ibn Kathir: Allah Himself says, "Son of Adam denied me and reviled me... As for his reviling me, it is his saying, 'I have a child.' Glory be to Me from taking a wife or a child." This profound statement from the World of Revelation shows just how offensive this attribution is to Allah.
The World of Creation: His Alone
The verse then offers an immediate and universal rebuttal: "سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ ۖ بَل لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ" (Glorified be He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth). The word "سبحانه" (Subhanah) is a declaration of Allah's transcendence, proclaiming Him to be far above any imperfections or false associations.
This statement brings us into the World of Creation. It reminds us that everything, from the grandest galaxy to the smallest particle, is Allah's sole possession and creation. Mufti Shafi emphasizes that this establishes Allah's absolute dominion. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Owner of all existence. How could the One who owns and orchestrates everything in the vast heavens and earth possibly have a child, which would imply a need or a peer? This expanse of creation serves as a monumental testament to His absolute power and independence.
Universal Submission
Following this, the verse concludes with "كُلٌّۭ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ" (all are subservient to Him). The Arabic word "قانتون" (qanitoon) carries a rich meaning of being obedient, submissive, or humbly acknowledging service to Allah. As al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain, this applies to all creation, not just conscious beings. It encompasses both the willing submission of believers and the involuntary, natural submission of everything else – the sun rising, the planets orbiting, the laws of physics governing the universe. Even the shadow of a disbeliever bows to Allah, even if their heart does not. This demonstrates that the entire World of Creation is utterly dependent on and subject to Allah's will and command, further negating the idea of Him having a partner or offspring.
Source: al-Muyassar, Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi, Sayyid Qutb, al-Razi, al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:116 is discussed in 7 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:116 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.