Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 96

Word Meanings:

• الَّذِينَ يَجْعَلُونَ (Those who make/attribute): Those who set up or appoint.
• إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ (Another god): A deity or object of worship other than Allah, such as idols, statues, or false deities.
• فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ (Then they will come to know): They will soon realize the consequences of their actions, both in this world and the Hereafter.

Tafsir (Interpretation):

This verse refers to those who, in their ignorance and arrogance, take alongside Allah another object of worship—be it idols, stones, or any false deity—and attribute divinity to it. They do this despite the clear signs of Allah’s oneness and power that surround them in creation. The verse delivers a stern and certain warning: "They will soon come to know" — meaning they will inevitably face the bitter reality of their polytheism. This knowledge will come through punishment in this life, such as humiliation and defeat, and ultimately through the severe torment of the Hereafter, where no excuse or intercession will avail them.

The context of this verse is a reassurance to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers. The mockers and disbelievers who ridiculed the message of truth and plotted against it were not to be feared, for Allah had already guaranteed His Prophet’s protection and victory over them. Their end was sealed, and their schemes would only recoil upon themselves.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, pause and reflect: How can the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who sustains every living being and controls the universe with perfect wisdom, be compared to a lifeless idol carved by human hands? Such idols can neither benefit nor harm, neither hear nor see, neither grant life nor cause death. Yet, people persist in associating partners with Allah out of blind imitation or worldly desires.

This verse is a mercy and a wake-up call. It invites you to purify your heart and worship Allah alone, for He is the only One worthy of your devotion. The promise of "they will soon know" is not just a threat to the disbelievers—it is also a glad tiding for the believers. It assures you that truth will always prevail, falsehood will vanish, and those who mock the faith will taste the fruit of their deeds.

So, hold firm to the rope of Allah, and let this verse strengthen your certainty. The end of the righteous is Paradise, and the end of the polytheists is regret and loss. Choose today the path of success, and be among those who worship Allah with sincerity, for He is the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving.