Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)
Verse 33
33. “Is He then Who watches every soul as to what it earns (like the idols)? And yet they ascribe partners to Allah. Say: ‘Name them! Do you inform Him of something (partners) He does not know in the earth, or is it (just) a show of words?’ Rather, to those who disbelieve their devising are made to appear fair seeming, and they are kept back from the (right) path; and whomever Allah leaves to stray, for him there will be no guide.”
How is it That You Align and Consider Allah as a Counterpart for the Idols?
The Qur’an then returns to the issue of monotheism and paganism in this verse. It addresses the people with this clear evidence and asks: Can one put Him on a parity? Is He Who overlooks all and is the protector and guardian of all, and witnesses the action of all equal with the one who lacks all the above characteristics?
The verse says:
“Is He then Who watches every soul as to what it earns (like the idols)?…”
To supplement His previous discussion and to present an introduction for the next discussion, He asserts:
“…And yet they ascribe partners to Allah…”
Allah provides answers for them using different methods immediately.
At first He commands:
“…Say: ‘Name them!…”
That is, how would you consider as counterparts for Allah the Almighty, a number of anonymous beings which lack any title and value, and are ineffective?
Secondly, as about the issue which predisposes one to ask how such partners exist for Allah whom He is not aware of their existence despite His Omniscience.
The Qur’an inquires:
“…Do you inform Him of something (partners) He does not know in the earth…”
Thirdly, the fact is that you yourselves are not confident from the bottom of your heart that such a thing may exist, is evident from uttering the words ‘shadowy appearance’ in which there is no correct concept implied and you have sufficed to it.
The Qur’an continues saying:
“…or is it (just) a show of words?’…”
It is for this reason that these pagans call on Allah when they are caught in the hard entanglements of life, for they know clearly in their hearts that the idols are of no use.
Fourthly, as the pagans lack a correct understanding and as they imitate and follow blindly their whims, they are not able to judge rationally and correctly.
It is for this reason that they are misled and seduced in this manner. However, in the view of the pagans, their lies have been decorated (and as a result of their inner wickedness are of the opinion that their thinking is identical with reality).
The verse says:
“…Rather, to those who disbelieve their devising are made to appear fair seeming…”
And they have been obstructed from Allah’s path.
And whomever Allah considers as seduced, that is, after delivering ultimatum on him, no other one can lead him and direct him to the right path.
The verse continues saying:
“…and they are kept back from the (right) path;”
‘The Divine astray’ signifies the reaction of one’s own incorrect behaviour which are misleading for him, and as this trait and quality has been involved in such acts, they are being attributed to Allah.
The verse says:
“…and whomever Allah leaves to stray, for him there will be no guide.”
Incidentally, the fact that Allah is ‘the guardian of all’ denotes that He administers all affairs, is the protector of everything, is qualified and capable for them, superintends, records and registers everything, and whoever departs from the knowledgeable, single, unique and protecting Allah, will be entangled in the abyss of paganism and polytheism.