Surah As-Saffat — Verse 153

Word Meanings:

• أَصْطَفَى (Asṭafā): Chose, selected, or preferred.
• الْبَنَاتِ (Al-Banāt): Daughters.
• عَلَى (ʿAlā): Over or above.
• الْبَنِينَ (Al-Banīn): Sons.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse is a rhetorical question posed by Allah to rebuke the polytheists of Makkah for their corrupt beliefs. They claimed that the angels were Allah’s daughters, while they themselves despised having daughters and preferred sons. Allah exposes the absurdity of their claim by asking: “Has your Lord chosen daughters for Himself while giving you sons?” This is a sarcastic, pointed question that highlights the contradiction in their logic—they attributed to Allah what they themselves considered shameful and undesirable.

The verse challenges their flawed reasoning: if daughters were so inferior in their eyes, how could they dare to assign them to Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all? The implied answer is a firm “No”—Allah is far above and beyond such associations. He is free from any need for offspring, whether sons or daughters. This rhetorical style is meant to awaken their intellect and make them realize the folly of their claims.

Daʿwah (Invitation to Islam):

This verse invites us to reflect on the perfection of Allah’s nature. He is not like His creation, and He is free from all imperfections and limitations. The polytheists’ claim was not only a lie but also a reflection of their own distorted values—they valued sons over daughters, yet attributed daughters to Allah. Islam came to correct this injustice by elevating the status of daughters, honoring them as a blessing and a trust from Allah.

Let this verse remind us to purify our beliefs about Allah, to worship Him alone without any partners or false attributions, and to treat all of His creation—male and female—with dignity and respect. The One who created us knows what is best for us, and His wisdom is beyond our limited understanding. Embrace the truth of Tawḥīd (the Oneness of Allah) and free your heart from the falsehoods that distance you from His mercy and guidance.