Surah Al-'Ankabut — Verse 17

Word Meanings:

• Awthan (أوثانًا): Idols or statues carved from stone, wood, or other materials that people worshipped instead of Allah.
• Takhluquna Ifkan (تخلقون إفكًا): You invent lies and fabricate falsehood — meaning you falsely claim that these idols deserve worship and call them gods.
• Rizq (رزقًا): Provision, sustenance, and all that sustains life — food, wealth, health, and every blessing.
• Fabtaghu (فابتغوا): Seek and strive to obtain.
• Ilayhi Turja'un (إليه ترجعون): To Him alone you will be returned — meaning on the Day of Resurrection, you will be brought back to Allah for judgment.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O people, the idols you worship instead of Allah are nothing but lifeless statues — they can neither benefit nor harm you. And in calling them "gods," you are simply inventing lies and fabricating falsehood, for they possess none of the qualities of divinity. These idols you devote yourselves to have no power whatsoever to provide for you — they cannot grant you food, wealth, health, or any form of sustenance. So why do you turn to them?

Seek your provision from Allah alone, for He is the sole Provider (Ar-Razzaq). He is the One who created you, sustains you, and gives you everything you need. Worship Him sincerely and exclusively, and be grateful to Him for His countless blessings — for gratitude opens the doors to even more provision. And remember: to Him alone will you all return on the Day of Judgment, not to your idols. On that Day, He will hold you accountable for your deeds and reward or punish you accordingly. Your idols will be of no help to you then — they cannot even protect themselves.

A Call to Reflection:

Dear reader, pause and reflect: how can a being that cannot provide for you — even a single meal — be worthy of your worship? The One who feeds you, clothes you, gives you life, and will one day call you back to Him — He alone deserves your devotion. Islam invites you to free yourself from the chains of false worship and to connect directly with your Creator. There is no intermediary, no idol, no statue — just a direct, personal relationship with the Lord of the Worlds. This is the pure, untainted message of every prophet: worship Allah alone, seek your sustenance from Him, and thank Him — for to Him is your ultimate return. Embrace this truth, and you will find peace in this life and success in the next.