Surah Al-Baqarah 2:165

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 165 of 286

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَندَادًۭا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَشَدُّ حُبًّۭا لِّلَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِذْ يَرَوْنَ ٱلْعَذَابَ أَنَّ ٱلْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعَذَابِ

Translation

Even so, there are some who choose to worship others besides God as rivals to Him, loving them with the love due to God, but the believers have greater love for God. If only the idolaters could see- as they will see when they face the torment- that all power belongs to God, and that God punishes severely.

English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

Meaning and reflection

Wording

This profound verse draws a striking contrast between those who stray from Allah's guidance and those who embrace it with sincere devotion. It opens by highlighting a lamentable human condition.

The Misplaced Affection

The Quran begins, "وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَندَادًۭا" (And among the people are those who take equals besides Allah). The phrasing "among the people" (وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ), placed at the beginning, conveys a sense of astonishment or lament, as if to say, "It is astonishing that despite all the clear signs, some still behave this way," as noted by Ibn Ashur. These "أندادًا" (andad) are rivals or partners, often understood as idols, but also encompasses anything given a share of Allah's unique due. The verse states these people "يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ ٱللَّهِ" (they love them as they love Allah). This "love" isn't merely obedience; it's a deep inclination of the soul, a profound veneration. Ibn Ashur explains that the comparison "كَحُبِّ ٱللَّهِ" (like the love of Allah) signifies an equality in the *intensity* of affection, or at least how the idolaters *perceive* and *express* their love, be it for Allah or their false deities. The intent is to condemn the very root of this misdirected love.

The Believer's Superior Love

In stark contrast, the verse proclaims, "وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَشَدُّ حُبًّۭا لِّلَّهِ" (And those who believe have a more intense love for Allah). The word "أَشَدُّ" (more intense, stronger) is chosen deliberately over a simpler comparative like "more beloved," as clarified by Ibn Ashur. It emphasizes the *strength, depth, and unwavering steadfastness* of the believers' love. While the idolaters' love for their false gods might be passionate, it is often conditional and rooted in perceived benefit, sometimes even abandoning their idols if expectations aren't met, as illustrated by Ibn Ashur with examples from pre-Islamic poetry. The believers' love, however, is for Allah's essence, His perfection, and His deservedness of all love, unswayed by changing circumstances or worldly gains. It is a love rooted in profound knowledge and conviction, as discussed by al-Razi.

A Glimpse of the Hereafter

The verse then issues a severe warning: "وَلَوْ يَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِذْ يَرَوْنَ ٱلْعَذَابَ أَنَّ ٱلْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعَذَابِ" (If only those who wronged could see, when they see the punishment, that all power belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment). The phrase "الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا" (those who wronged) is an inclusive term, showing that taking partners to Allah is indeed a tremendous injustice, a wrong against Allah, against oneself, and even against those false deities who bear the burden of such worship, as Ibn Ashur details.

Crucially, the word "إِذْ" (idh), typically indicating a past event, is used here for a future occurrence (the Day of Judgment). This choice of wording, as explained by al-Jadwal and al-Razi, powerfully conveys the *certainty and inevitability* of this future event; it is as good as already having happened. What is strikingly *unsaid* here is the consequence of this "if only." The answer to "لو" (if only) is omitted, a powerful rhetorical technique (balagha), as observed by Ibn Ashur, al-Zamakhshari, and al-Razi. This deliberate silence amplifies the terrifying magnitude of what they *would* see and experience, leaving the heart to ponder the immense horror beyond description. The realization that "ٱلْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا" (all power belongs to Allah, entirely) is the bitter truth they will face, confirming that any power attributed to their false gods was utterly baseless.

Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn

Wisdom

This profound verse follows a series of compelling signs from Allah, reminding us of His oneness and absolute power. Yet, it highlights a stark human reality: amidst clear evidence, some people choose to take what the Quran calls andād (أَندَادًۭا) besides Allah. These "andād" are not just physical idols. As scholars like al-Qurtubi and Ibn al-Jawzi mention, they can also be leaders or figures of authority whom people obey even in disobedience to Allah. Essentially, they are anything or anyone that people elevate to a status that rivals Allah in their hearts.

The True Test of Love

The core of this taking of "andād" lies in their love for these rivals: يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ ٱللَّهِ (they love them as they love Allah). This means they accord these rivals a love, veneration, or obedience that should only be for Allah. They might dedicate their lives to these 'rivals', or place ultimate hope and fear in them. In stark contrast, Allah describes the believers: وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَشَدُّ حُبًّۭا لِّلَّهِ (But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah). Mufti Shafi explains that a polytheist might abandon their self-made god in times of loss, but a true believer's confidence and love for Allah remain steadfast, whether in gain or loss. Al-Saadi emphasizes that believers love the One truly deserving of love, and their love is pure and undivided, which is the essence of their well-being.

The Ultimate Reality

The verse then issues a powerful warning: وَلَوْ يَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِذْ يَرَوْنَ ٱلْعَذَابَ أَنَّ ٱلْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعَذَابِ (If only those who wronged [themselves] could see, when they see the punishment, that all power belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment). Those who 'wronged themselves' are those who committed shirk (associating partners with Allah) by taking these rivals. If they could truly grasp the reality of their situation when facing punishment, they would realize that absolute power rests solely with Allah. Their supposed 'andād' will be utterly powerless to help them, and Allah's punishment is severe. This realization, however, will come too late for them.

A Lesson for Us

This verse offers a timeless lesson beyond historical idol worship. It invites us to deeply reflect on our own hearts. Do we, in our modern lives, inadvertently take "andād" by giving ultimate love, trust, or obedience to anything other than Allah? This could manifest as prioritizing worldly ambitions, seeking validation from people, or being overly attached to possessions or status, to the point where these things overshadow our commitment to Allah. The verse reminds us that true strength and unwavering devotion belong to those who cultivate a pure, intense love for Allah alone. This love should remain firm through all circumstances, allowing us to find peace and guidance by relying on the One who holds all power and is ultimately just in His dealings. It's a call to examine our priorities and ensure our hearts are truly anchored in Allah.

Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim)

Topics that discuss this verse

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:165 is discussed in 19 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.

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