Tafsir of Az-Zumar 39:38

Surah Az-Zumar (39): Verse 38

{And if you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they will surely say, "Allah." Say, "Then have you considered that which you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intends for me any harm, can they remove His harm? Or if He intends for me mercy, can they avert His mercy? Say, "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him let those who trust place their trust."}

After extensively warning the polytheists and promising the monotheists, the Almighty returns to establishing proof against the flawed methodology of idol worshippers. This refutation is built upon two foundational principles:

The First Principle: These polytheists admit to the existence of an All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Wise, and Merciful God. This is indicated by His statement: {And if you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they will surely say, "Allah."}

Some scholars hold that the knowledge of the existence of this capable, wise, and merciful God is universally agreed upon among the majority of creation; there is no dispute concerning it. The innate disposition (fitra) of reason testifies to the correctness of this knowledge. Indeed, whoever contemplates the wonders of the heavens and the earth, the marvels of plants and animals, especially the intricacies of the human body with its strange wisdom and astonishing benefits, must necessarily confess the existence of an All-Powerful, Wise, and Merciful God.

The Second Principle: These idols possess no power over benefit or harm. This is implied by His statement: {Say, "Then have you considered that which you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intends for me any harm, can they remove His harm? Or if He intends for me mercy, can they avert His mercy?}

Thus, it is established that one must acknowledge the existence of the All-Powerful, Wise, and Merciful God, and it is established that these idols have no power over good or evil. If this is the case, then reliance upon God alone is sufficient, and dependence upon Him is enough. This is what is meant by: {Say, "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him let those who trust place their trust."}

Once this principle is established, a rational person will not heed the threats of the polytheists. The purpose of this verse is to draw attention to the answer regarding what God mentioned just before this verse, which was: {And they frighten you with those they invoke besides Him.}

(Note on Recitation: It was recited as {kāshifāt} (plural feminine active participle) and {mumsikāt} (plural feminine active participle) with tanwīn (nunation) based on the general rule, or with iḍāfa (genitive construction) for ease of pronunciation.)

Addressing the Feminine Form: If one asks why the verbs are in the feminine plural ({kāshifāt} and {mumsikāt}) when the preceding reference was to the masculine plural ({alladhīna} - those they invoke), the answer is:

1. It is meant to draw attention to their complete weakness, as femininity is often associated with weakness.
2. They (the polytheists) used to describe them with feminine names, such as al-Lāt, al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt.

When God presented this irrefutable argument against them, He followed it with a threat: {Say, "O my people, work according to your way; indeed, I am working [in my way]. And you will know}—meaning, you believe yourselves to be at the peak of strength and might, so exert all your cunning and plotting, for I too am working to establish My religion. {And you will know} that the punishment and disgrace will befall either me or you. The intent here is intimidation.

Continuation of Verses (39:40 onwards)

{Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book for mankind in truth. So whoever is guided - it is for his own self; and whoever strays - he strays only to its detriment. And you are not over them a guardian.}

{Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He retains those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.}

{Or have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say, "Even if they do not possess anything, nor do they reason?"}

{Say, "To Allah belongs all intercession. To Him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned."}