Surah Sad — Verse 5

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• Ālihah (الآلِهَةَ): The plural of *ilāh*, meaning gods or deities that were worshipped besides Allah.
• Ilāhan wāḥidan (إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا): One single God, with no partner or associate.
• ʿUjāb (عُجَاب): Something extremely astonishing, extraordinary, and beyond the bounds of normal wonder—so strange that it leaves people bewildered.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse captures the stunned reaction of the disbelievers of Quraysh when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called them to the worship of Allah alone. They said, in utter disbelief and mockery: *"Has he made all these gods into one God?"* They found it impossible to conceive that the many idols they worshipped—each with its own supposed power, status, and role—could be replaced by a single deity. To them, this was not just surprising; it was *ʿujāb*, something truly bizarre and beyond comprehension.

Their amazement, however, was not born of sincere inquiry but of stubbornness and attachment to the traditions of their forefathers. They had grown so accustomed to their idols that the idea of one God seemed absurd to them, even though their own nature and the universe around them testified to the oneness of the Creator. The Quran repeatedly points out that the heavens, the earth, and everything within them are sustained by one Lord, and that polytheism is a deviation from the natural disposition (*fiṭrah*) with which Allah created humanity.

This verse also highlights a profound truth: the disbelievers did not deny the existence of a supreme creator, but they refused to single Him out for worship. They wanted to keep their intermediaries, their idols, and their tribal customs. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) came with the pure message of *tawḥīd*—the absolute oneness of Allah—they saw it as a threat to their social order and their inherited beliefs. Yet, what they called "strange" is, in fact, the most rational and natural call: that the Creator of all things should be worshipped alone, without rivals.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, pause and reflect on this verse. Is it truly strange that the One who created the heavens and the earth, who gives life and causes death, who sustains every creature from the smallest ant to the greatest galaxy—should be worshipped alone? The universe itself is a living testimony to His oneness: a single sun illuminates the day, a single moon adorns the night, and a single heart governs the body. How, then, could the Lord of all this be multiple?

The message of Islam is simple, pure, and liberating: free your heart from the shackles of false gods, and turn to the One who hears your prayers, answers your calls, and knows your innermost thoughts. This is not a strange call—it is the call of every prophet, from Adam to Noah, from Abraham to Moses, from Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). It is the call of your own nature, which longs for a true and worthy object of worship.

So, do not let the mockery of the disbelievers shake your faith. Instead, let their wonder inspire you to marvel at the greatness of Allah, who is One, Unique, and Eternal. He is the God who needs no partners, no helpers, and no intermediaries. And He is the God who, in His infinite mercy, sent His final messenger to guide humanity to this beautiful truth. Embrace it, and you will find peace that this world cannot give.