Inna ilahakum lawahid (surah Assaaffat: 4)

Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

(37:4) surely your God is One, *2

Inna Illaahakum la Waahid

*2) This is the Truth to impress which an oath has been taken by the angels bearing the above-mentioned qualities. In other words, what is meant to be said is: "The whole system of the universe which is functioning in the scrvice of Allah, and all those manifestations of this universe which bring the evil consequences of deviation from the service of Allah before men, testify that the "Deity" of men is One and only One." The word "Ilah" applies to two meanings: (1) The deity who is actually being served and worshipped; and (2) the Deity Who, in reality, is worthy of being served and worshipped. Here, the word "Ilah"has been used in the second meaning, for, as far as the first meaning is concerned, men have adopted many other deities. That is why we have translated "Ilah"as the "real Deity".