Surah Al-Furqan 25:3
سُورَةُ الفُرۡقَانِ · Meccan · Verse 3 of 77
وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةًۭ لَّا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًۭا وَلَا حَيَوٰةًۭ وَلَا نُشُورًۭا
Translation
Yet the disbelievers take as their gods things beneath Him that create nothing, and are themselves created, that can neither harm nor help themselves, and have no control over death, life, or resurrection.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a powerful critique, addressing those who associated partners with Allah, specifically the polytheists in Makkah. Allah directly speaks, exposing the utter foolishness and emptiness of their worship. The tone is one of sharp rebuke, highlighting the stark contrast between the true Lord and their helpless deities.
The Contrast of Creation
The verse begins by stating, "And they have taken besides Him gods who `لا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا` (do not create a thing), while `وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ` (they themselves are created)." This direct opposition in wording is striking. The false gods are not only incapable of creating anything, but they are *themselves* creations. Imam al-Zamakhshari points out that this `يُخْلَقُونَ` here means "they are manufactured" or "made" by human hands, through carving and sculpting. Ibn Ashur further explains that while *khalq* (creation) usually refers to bringing something into existence from nothing, here, when applied to idols, it signifies their formation or shaping by people. The very act of worshiping something you yourself have fashioned highlights the severe lack of understanding.
Utter Powerlessness
The ayah continues, "and `وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا` (they do not possess for themselves harm or benefit)." The word `يَمْلِكُونَ` (they possess) here, as clarified by Ibn Ashur, is used in the sense of `القُدْرَة` (power) or `الاستطاعة` (capability). These false deities are so powerless that they cannot even fend off harm from themselves or bring benefit to themselves, let alone for their worshippers. Ibn Ashur notes that the mention of "harm and benefit" is a common idiom, signifying a complete lack of any power or control whatsoever.
No Control Over Life and Death
The culmination of this series of negations is, "and `وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًۭا وَلَا حَيَوٰةًۭ وَلَا نُشُورًۭا` (they do not possess death or life or resurrection)." The use of indefinite nouns like `مَوْتًا` (a death) and `حَيَوٰةً` (a life) in a negative context implies that they cannot control *any* instance of death or life. The word `نُشُورًۭا` specifically refers to the resurrection, bringing the dead back to life. Ibn Ashur highlights that the negation of their power over resurrection implies the very reality of resurrection itself. By saying these false gods cannot bring about resurrection, the verse implicitly confirms that resurrection *will* happen, but it is solely within Allah's power.
This meticulous choice of words, the powerful contrasts, and the escalating descriptions of utter incapacity serve to dismantle the entire premise of idol worship, inviting the listener to reflect deeply on Allah's absolute and unique power.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Furqan 25:3 is discussed in 10 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-Furqan 25:3 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.