Al-A'raf (The Heights): Verse 140

It is known that the Almighty recounted how Moses (peace be upon him), when they said to him: {Appoint for us a god just as they have gods}, responded with several points:

1. He judged them as ignorant, saying: {Indeed, you are a people who are ignorant}.
2. He stated: {Indeed, what they are engaged in is a cause for ruin and destruction}.
3. He said: {And vain is what they were doing}, meaning this arduous labor yields them no benefit in this world or the Hereafter.
4. He expressed astonishment at them in a manner that necessitates rebuke and condemnation, as mentioned in this verse: {Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah, while He has favored you over the worlds?}

The meaning is that a deity (Ilah) is not something sought, requested, or taken; rather, the Deity is Allah, who is capable of bestowing favors through creation, granting life, and all blessings. This is what is meant by {while He has favored you over the worlds}. Therefore, this existing Being is the Deity whom creation must worship. How then is it permissible to turn away from worshipping Him to worshipping others?

Al-Wahidi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is said, baghaytu fulanan shay'an and baghaytu lahu. Allah Almighty says: {They desire sedition for you} (At-Tawbah: 47), meaning they desire it for you.

Regarding the accusative case (nasb) of {a god} (ilāhan), there are two interpretations:

1. It is a circumstantial adverb (ḥāl), as if it were said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah?" In this case, ghayr (other) is in the accusative case as the direct object.
2. {a god} (ilāhan) is in the accusative case as the direct object, and {other} (ghayr) is an advanced circumstantial adverb that, if delayed, would be an adjective. It is like saying: "Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah?"

Regarding the phrase {while He has favored you over the worlds}, there are two opinions:

1. It means that Allah favored them over the peoples of their time.
2. It means that Allah specifically honored them with those overwhelming signs (miracles) that no one else among the worlds received, even if others were favored in other respects. An example is: A man learned one specific science, while another learned many sciences besides that one. The one with the single science is favored over the one with many sciences concerning that specific science, although the one with many sciences is truly favored overall.

{And [recall] when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, inflicting upon you severe torment, slaying your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.}