Surah An-Nahl — Verse 60

Word Meanings:

• مَثَلُ السَّوْءِ – The most deficient and evil attribute or description.
• الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَى – The most sublime and perfect attributes, which belong exclusively to Allah.
• الْعَزِيزُ – The Almighty, the One who prevails over all things and cannot be overcome.
• الْحَكِيمُ – The All-Wise, who places everything in its perfect and proper place.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This noble verse draws a clear and profound contrast between two completely different realities: the attributes of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, and the attributes of Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

For those who do not believe in the Hereafter and do not prepare for it, the most deficient and evil descriptions apply. They are described with qualities of weakness, neediness, ignorance, and disbelief. They ascribe to Allah what does not befit His majesty — such as claiming He has daughters, while they themselves desire only sons. This reflects their flawed understanding and their arrogance toward their Creator. Their condition is one of spiritual poverty and moral corruption, for they have severed their connection to the truth and to the eternal life that awaits them.

In contrast, to Allah alone belong the highest and most perfect attributes. He is free from all deficiencies and imperfections. He is the Self-Sufficient, the Rich beyond any need of His creation. He is the All-Knowing, whose knowledge encompasses everything. He is the One who is described with absolute perfection in His essence, His names, His actions, and His attributes. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the One who deserves all praise and worship.

And He is Al-Aziz — the Almighty, the Mighty in His dominion, the One whom no one can overcome or challenge. His power is absolute, and His will is always fulfilled. And He is Al-Hakim — the All-Wise in His creation, His command, and His legislation. Everything He does is with perfect wisdom, and everything He decrees is just and right.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse is a beautiful invitation to reflect on the nature of our relationship with our Creator. When we believe in the Hereafter, our hearts become connected to the Most High, and we adopt His noble attributes in our own lives — knowledge, wisdom, mercy, and strength in truth. But when we deny the Hereafter, we fall into the lowest of descriptions, chasing only temporary pleasures and losing sight of our true purpose.

Dear reader, Allah has honored you by revealing His perfect attributes to you. He invites you to know Him, to worship Him, and to live a life that reflects His guidance. The door of repentance is always open, and the mercy of Allah is vast. Do not let the fleeting nature of this world deceive you. Believe in the Hereafter, prepare for it, and you will find that Allah's attributes of perfection become a source of hope, strength, and tranquility in your heart. He is Al-Aziz who supports His believing servants, and Al-Hakim who guides them to the straight path. Embrace this truth today, and you will taste the sweetness of faith and the peace that comes from knowing your Lord.