Surah As-Saffat — Verse 87

Word Meanings:

• "Ma thannukum" — What is your assumption or expectation?
• "Bi Rabbil-'Alameen" — Regarding the Lord of all the worlds, the Creator and Sustainer of everything that exists.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse is part of the dialogue of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with his father and his people, as he addressed them with wisdom and firmness. After he asked them, "What is it that you worship?" — pointing out the futility of their idols — he followed with this profound rhetorical question: "Then what is your assumption about the Lord of the worlds?"

In other words: If you worship these false gods alongside Allah, and you meet your Lord on the Day of Judgment while persisting in this shirk (associating partners with Him), what do you think He will do with you? What punishment do you expect from the One who created you, sustains you, and owns your entire existence? Do you think He will overlook your worship of others besides Him, when He alone deserves all worship?

This question is a powerful wake-up call — it forces the listener to reflect on the consequences of their actions. It is not merely a question of information, but a question of accountability. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was not just debating; he was inviting his people to reason with themselves. He wanted them to realize that the One who created the heavens and the earth, who gives life and death, who provides for all creatures — surely He will not leave those who worship others besides Him without consequence.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, pause with this verse and ask yourself the same question: What is your assumption about your Lord? If you know that Allah is the Creator of everything, the Most Merciful, yet also the Most Just — then how can you meet Him with a heart attached to anything other than Him? How can you stand before Him while your worship, your love, or your obedience is divided?

This verse is an invitation to purify your heart and direct it solely to Allah. It is a reminder that our relationship with our Lord is not a game — it is the very purpose of our existence. The good news is that Allah is Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and At-Tawwab (The Accepter of Repentance). Whoever returns to Him sincerely, He forgives and welcomes. So let this question guide you to the straight path, and let your assumption about your Lord be one of hope and fear — hope in His mercy, and fear of His justice. And know that the best assumption you can have is that He will accept your repentance and guide your heart, as He guided the heart of His beloved friend Ibrahim.