Surah Yunus — Verse 35

Word Meanings:

• Yahdi ila al-haqq: Guides to the truth, leads to the right path.
• La yahiddi illa an yuhda: Does not find the way by itself, unless it is guided (i.e., carried or directed by others).
• Fa ma lakum kayfa tahkumun: What is the matter with you? How do you judge (such a false judgment)?

Tafsir (Explanation):

O Messenger, say to these polytheists who worship idols and false deities alongside Allah: "Is there among your so-called partners any one who can guide to the truth?" The answer is inevitably no, for their idols are lifeless, deaf, and blind—they cannot guide anyone anywhere. Then say to them: "Allah alone guides to the truth." He is the One who shows humanity the straight path, sends prophets, reveals scriptures, and directs hearts toward righteousness.

Now reflect: Who is more deserving to be followed—the One who guides to the truth, or the one who cannot even find its own way unless it is guided by others? Your idols cannot move from their places unless someone carries them; they cannot benefit or harm; they cannot hear your prayers or respond to your calls. Yet you worship them alongside Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth!

What is wrong with your reasoning? How do you judge such a false judgment? You acknowledge that Allah alone guides, yet you still associate partners with Him in worship. This is a clear contradiction in your logic. Your own intellect, if you would use it, testifies that the One who creates, sustains, and guides deserves your full devotion and obedience.

This verse is a powerful invitation to reflect on the nature of true divinity. The One who deserves your worship is the One who actively guides you through every stage of your life—from the darkness of ignorance to the light of faith, from error to truth, from confusion to certainty. He is the Living, the Self-Sustaining, the One who answers when you call upon Him in your moments of need.

So, dear reader, let this question echo in your heart: Who is more worthy of your love, your trust, and your submission? The Creator who knows you better than you know yourself, or the creation that cannot even guide itself? The answer is clear, and your fitrah (natural disposition) already knows it. Embrace the truth, follow the guidance of Allah, and find peace in submitting to the One who truly deserves your worship.