All the Characteristics of Polytheists Mentioned in the Quran
They associate any being with Allah
Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful;
The verse emphasizes that no one should be worshipped except Allah, and then draws attention to the principle of monotheism, a common principle preached by all prophets, stating that nothing should be associated with Him because it would compromise His oneness. The word شَئْ (shay') in the verse is indefinite, meaning it does not contain a modifier, thus implying an absolute and general meaning. The verse vehemently rejects the mediation of any kind of being, belief, or perception—material or spiritual, visible or invisible, perceptible or intangible.
As yet another example, the particle "mâ" encompasses all kinds of beings, both animate and inanimate, and includes everything that constitutes an element of polytheism.
Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things(mâ) that can create nothing, but are themselves created?
Say : "the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins, unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge."
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who have denied the Truth since they have associated others with Allah in His divinity - something for which He has sent down no sanction. The Fire is their abode; how bad the resting place of the wrong-doers will be!
You call me to disbelieve in God and to believe other things equal to Him about which I have no knowledge. I call you to the Majestic and All-forgiving One.
fruits were all destroyed and he began to wring his hands in grief for all that he had invested in his garden. He found his garden tumbled to its trellises and said, "Would that I had not considered anything equal to my Lord".
Those who take as gods anything other than God Almighty—that is, their influence, power, wealth, and possessions—will ultimately face ruin. For associating partners with God is oppression. Those who forget that God Almighty is always involved in life, who trust in false saviors, who become arrogant and boastful, and who do not believe in the Day of Judgment, will ultimately face fruitless regret.
The polytheists fear not Allah, but those they associate with Him
78. When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is my lord. This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah.
79. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah Alone) and I am not of Al-Mushrikun.
80. His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me, and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then remember?
81. And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know."
Prophet Abraham, by referring to the senseless and unnecessary fear that his polytheistic people felt because of idols, indirectly points out that the true possessor of power and might, whom one should fear, is Almighty Allah. Accordingly, it should not be forgotten that those who do not fear associating partners with Allah—things for which Allahhas sent down no evidence—should not be feared, because the true being to be feared is Almighty Allah.
The revelation that the Prophet called for was difficult for the polytheists to accept...
He has prescribed for you the religion which He had enjoined upon Noah and which We have [also] revealed to you, and which We had enjoined upon Abraham, Moses and Jesus, declaring, ‘Maintain the religion, and do not be divided in it.’ Hard on the polytheists is that to which you summon(invite) them. Allah chooses for it whomever He wishes, and He guides to it whomever returns penitently [to Him].
It is stated that the message conveyed by the Prophet and his invitation to the religion of monotheism, which emphasizes sincerity, was difficult for the polytheists to accept. Whoever finds the invitation to monotheism, that is, to revelation, difficult should know that they have a problem related to polytheism.
Another point highlighted in the verse is "avoiding division in religion".
Despite God Almighty declaring that nations should ideally be one and warning that division in religion is never justifiable, it is stated that it is inappropriate for people to be divided into different religions, sects, and communities. The same message is found in the following verses.
But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
And [yet] they divided their affair among themselves, [but] all to Us will return.
of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren, and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided.
And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.
En'âm, Verse 159
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allah, Who then will tell them what they used to do.
Those who associate partners with Allah are attached to worldly life.
And verily, you will find them the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who - ascribe partners to Allah. Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment. And Allah is All-Seer of what they do.
The polytheists do not want any good to come to the believers.
Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture nor Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, idolaters, polytheists, pagans, etc.) like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord. But Allah chooses for His Mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.
Allah Almighty informs us that neither the disbelievers among the People of the Book nor the polytheists wished for even the slightest benefit to befall the believers, and that they absolutely did not accept the bestowal of the prophetic mission, which is the pinnacle of generosity and kindness, upon the Prophet Muhammad, and that they could never, ever accept it.
Marriage with polytheists is forbidden
And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (idolatresses, etc.) till they believe (worship Allah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (idolatress, etc.), even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater, etc.), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites (you) to Paradise and Forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to mankind that they may remember.
A man guilty of adultery (or fornication) shall not marry any but the woman guilty of the same or a mushrik woman, and none shall marry a woman guilty of adultery (or fornication) but the man guilty of the same or a mushrik man: such marriages are forbidden to true believers.
Polytheists deserve punishment...
Allah punishes the hypocrites, men and women alike, and the idolaters, both men and women alike; and Allah turns to the believers, men and women alike. Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.
Those who commit idolatry utter hurtful words to believers...
Al-Imran 186th verse
You will surely be tested in your possessions and your souls, and you will surely hear much affront from those who were given the Book before you and from the polytheists; but if you are patient and Godwary, that is indeed the steadiest of courses.
The polytheists attribute children to Allah...
Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah (Jesus) said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Who has begotten no son (children or offspring) and for Whom there is no partner in the dominion. He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements.
It is stated that deifying a human being, even a prophet, and attributing a child to Allah Almighty is polytheism and disbelief, that the consequences of this will be terrible, that Allah Almighty has forbidden Paradise to such people, and that their destination will be the fire of Hell.
Those who will show the most intense hostility towards the believers are the Jews and the polytheists.
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou (will you) find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou (will you) find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant...
In times of distress, the polytheists only supplicate to Almighty God, forgetting the partners they used to associate with Him...
40. Say: "Tell me if Allah's Torment comes upon you, or the Hour comes upon you, would you then call upon any one other than Allah? (Reply) if you are truthful!"
41. Nay! To Him Alone you call, and, if He will, He would remove that (distress) for which you call upon Him, and you forget at that time whatever partners you joined with Him (in worship)!
Say: "Allah rescues you from it and from all (other) distresses, and yet you worship others besides Allah."
Then, when He has removed the harm from you, behold! Some of you associate others in worship with their Lord (Allah).
The deeds of the polytheists will be in vain.
That is Allah’s guidance: with it, He guides whomever He wishes of His servants. But were they to ascribe any partners [to Allah], what they used to do would not avail them.
Before verse 88, the prophets are listed, and Almighty Allah declares that even if a person is a prophet, if they fall into polytheism, their deeds will be erased. This highlights the importance of the matter and the fact that polytheism is an extremely dangerous deviation from faith, conveying this message to all of humanity through the prophets. The warning emphasizes the danger such a deviation poses to other people, especially within the context of the last community addressed by the Quran, given that even the deeds of prophets are erased.
Certainly it has been revealed to you and to those [who have been] before you: ‘If you ascribe a partner to Allah your works shall fail and you shall surely be among the losers.
One should turn away from the polytheists.
Follow that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, there is no god except Him, and turn away from the polytheists.
It is known that those who disregarded and persistently turned away from revelation were polytheists during the period when the revelation was sent down. Avoiding polytheists and not taking them seriously is applied as a method. However, upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that the real aim is not to turn away from the ignorant and polytheists themselves, but rather from their ignorance and polytheism. For ignorance and polytheism may be temporary; therefore, the essential thing is to fight against ignorance and polytheism, to liberate those who possess them from polytheism, and to win them over.
Therefore proclaim openly (Allah's Message Islamic Monotheism) that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters)
If He so willed, no one could associate anything with Him.
Had Allah willed, they would not have taken others besides Him in worship. And We have not made you a watcher over them nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs.
The point being made is this: People are subjected to a test; they can choose right or wrong. Almighty God has inspired humanity with both the capacity to deviate from the path of wickedness (fujur) and the capacity for piety (taqwa), which is the ability to protect oneself from that evil path. Those who choose negativity, by embracing the characteristics of wickedness, have preferred associating partners with God (shirk).
The polytheists say, ‘Had Allah wished, we would not have worshiped anything besides Him—neither we, nor our fathers—nor we would have forbidden anything without His sanction.’ Those who were before them had acted likewise. Is the apostles’(messengers') duty anything but to communicate in clear terms?
As stated in the following verse, it is indicated that Almighty God can guide everyone if He so wills; however, in that case, life and trials would have no meaning. Since Almighty God does not will such a thing, He certainly did not will for people to associate partners with Him. The words of the polytheists on this matter are entirely false and slanderous.
If their aversion is hard on you, then if you were able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladder to the sky, so that you may bring them a sign (and you cannot do it, so be patient). And had Allah willed, He could have gathered them together (all) unto true guidance, so be not you one of those who are Al-Jahilun (the ignorant).
Polytheists are those who act on conjecture/assumption instead of revelation.
It is an undeniable fact that when speaking in the name of religion, one should not speak without relying on divine revelation.
"Those who do not conform to truth and righteousness, by imitating and following what they call 'ancestral religion,' are merely conjecture, lies, delusions, fabrications, and falsehoods."
Those who associated with Allah will say, "If Allah had willed, we would not have associated [anything] and neither would our fathers, nor would we have prohibited anything." Likewise did those before deny until they tasted Our punishment. Say, "Do you have any knowledge that you can produce for us? You follow not except assumption, and you are not but falsifying."
No doubt! Verily, to Allah belongs whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth. And those who worship and invoke others besides Allah, in fact they follow not the (Allah's so-called) partners, they follow only a conjecture and they only invent lies.
And the polytheists assign to Allah from that which He created of crops and livestock a share and say, "This is for Allah," by their claim, "and this is for our partners [associated with Him]." But what is for their "partners" does not reach Allah, while what is for Allah - this reaches their "partners." Evil is that which they rule.
(48:6)
And [that] He may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the polytheist men and polytheist women - those who assume about Allah an assumption of evil nature. Upon them is a misfortune of evil nature; and Allah has become angry with them and has cursed them and prepared for them Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
The polytheists displayed hostile attitudes towards women, even their own daughters.
And they say: "What is in the bellies of such and such cattle (milk or foetus) is for our males alone, and forbidden to our females (girls and women), but if it is born dead, then all have shares therein." He will punish them for their attribution (of such false orders to Allah). Verily, He is All-Wise, All-Knower.
The polytheists, by only granting women a right to the meat of stillborn animals, made them partners in the loss, ridiculed them, and thus sought to show that they had no influence whatsoever over life.
And so to many of the Mushrikun (polytheists) their "partners" have made fair-seeming the killing of their children, in order to lead them to their own destruction and cause confusion in their religion. And if Allah had willed they would not have done so. So leave them alone with their fabrications.
Imitating the faith of polytheists is faith in itself.
Or lest you should say: "It was only our fathers afortime who took others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were (merely their) descendants after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Batil (i.e. polytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah)?".
God Almighty informs us that attempts to "blame others" will be meaningless, thus invalidating another excuse that ungrateful people might offer on the Day of Judgment. For no one can take refuge in the excuse, "We saw it this way from our ancestors." It is stated that blind imitation is a terrible moral deviation, and its ultimate consequence is the torment of hellfire. These situations are rejected from the outset, and it is emphasized that the ability to accept God as the one true deity has been instilled in human nature. Therefore, saying things like, "We found our ancestors this way; we came later; we do not want to be destroyed because of their rejection of the truth," will be of no use. In the life of a Muslim, there is the pursuit of truth; there is no imitation of falsehood. Because blind imitation is a complete abyss; it is disaster itself. Following the footsteps of ancestors without questioning or inquiring is not only wrong but also a very dangerous path. God Almighty mentions this alongside the phrase, "We were unaware of this," thus declaring that this is in no way an excuse. According to the Quran, blind imitation is foolishness and, as an act of Satan, invites its follower to the torment of hellfire.
The polytheists ask for children from others besides Allah...
But when He gave them a Salih (good in every aspect) child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them. High be Allah, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him.
God Almighty informs us that ungrateful people forget the promise they made when desiring a child: that "if He grants them a righteous, that is, flawless child, they will be among the grateful." Instead of living according to the oneness of God, they dare to associate partners with Him by believing that other beings also played a role in the child's birth.
Whether in the creation of a child, in its continuation of life, or in loving it more than God Almighty and making far greater sacrifices for it, any imbalance is described as shirk (polytheism) in this verse, and these elements are called شُرَكَآء shuraka', meaning "partners".
The verse does not imply that Adam and his wife fell into polytheism through this story. This is because the expressions at the end of the verse and in the following sections are in the plural, not the dual.
The polytheists are the only group subject to war.
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months, so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters) collectively, as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are Al-Muttaqun.
The only group targeted and addressed by the Quran for the act of fighting (qital) are the polytheists. Permission to kill polytheists comes after they have initiated an attack. Here, the reasoning highlighted in the following verse of the Quran will be at play.
Those who are fought against are permitted [to fight] because they have been wronged, and Allah is indeed able to help them
Verse 6 of the following group of verses, which describes fighting against the polytheists who disrupt peace, indicates that a person's faith and accepted religious practice should not be based on imitation, but must necessarily involve reflection and contemplation. For if imitation were sufficient, this unbeliever should not be given respite; he should be told, "Either you will believe or we will kill you." Instead, we cannot say this to him; we give him respite, remove the fear from him, and it is obligatory for us to bring him to a place where he feels safe. Therefore, we understand that this is only because imitation is insufficient in religion; on the contrary, proof and evidence are absolutely necessary. For this reason, we give him respite and grant him a period of time to reflect and reason.
1. [This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.
3. And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away - then know that you will not cause failure to Allah. And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.
4. Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
5. And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
6. And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.
7. How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allah and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-Haram? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
Polytheists are impure...
O you who believe! Verily, the Mushrikun (polytheists) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He will, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Here, the word "najasa" (impurity) refers to both the physical impurity of the polytheists and their spiritual impurity, stemming from their polytheism and disbelief. The interpretation of the verse can be made considering both meanings. However, since the issue arose after the conquest of Mecca, and because the polytheists at that time did not perform prayers and therefore did not feel the need to cleanse themselves of physical impurity through ritual washing (ghusl and wudu), and were instead serving the Masjid al-Haram (the Kaaba), the interpretation of the word here as referring to physical impurity is more appropriate.
They will swear by Allah to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away from them. So turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e. Najasun (impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place, - a recompense for that which they used to earn.
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
The polytheists did not want the messenger, and therefore, the revelation he brought...
It is stated that the polytheists did not want the Messenger, and therefore the Quran, which is referred to as the guide revealed through him and contains the true religion.
It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists) hate (it).
He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it victorious over all religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists) hate (it).
Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among Al-Mushrikun(polytheists), were not going to leave until there came to them clear evidence.
Some of the polytheists were unwilling to abandon their old false beliefs until clear evidence (a messenger) came to them.
No prayers for forgiveness can be offered for those who die in a state of idolatry…
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
Just as forgiveness cannot be sought for people like Abraham's father, about whom Allah Almighty has provided information, it is also impossible to seek forgiveness for those who die declaring themselves disbelievers. Furthermore, since no one can know how anyone dies—whether they died as a believer or a disbeliever—one cannot have any certainty on this matter.
Satan's dominion is over those who associate partners with God...
His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allah).
In this context, it is stated that Satan has no influence over those who believe and trust in Almighty Allah, but he can influence those who befriend him. It is also stated that Satan has dominion over those who associate partners with God.
It is clearly stated that when Satan calls people to lead them astray, and people respond to this call and associate partners with Allah, even Satan himself does not accept this, leaving no room for the excuse of "I followed Satan."
And Shaitan (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided: "Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, so you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah. Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zalimun (polytheists)."
In previous nations as well, the polytheists were numerous...
Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)! Most of them were Mushrikun (polytheists)."
True believers are those who do not associate partners with God...
And those who join not anyone as partners with their Lord;
"He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."
Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).
When We settled for Abraham the site of the House [saying], Do not ascribe any partners to Me, and purify My House for those who circle around it, and those who stand [in it for prayer], and those who bow and prostrate themselves.
I follow the creed of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is not for us to ascribe any partner to Allah. That is by virtue of Allah’s grace upon us and upon all mankind, but most people do not give thanks.
But I [say], ‘‘He is Allah, my Lord,’’ and I do not ascribe any partner to my Lord.
54. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities) have seized you with evil (madness). He said: "I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship,
55. Besides Him (Allah). So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite."
turning to Him in penitence, and be wary of Him, and maintain the prayer, and do not be one of the polytheists
Even Jinn can be polytheists...
1. Say: "It has been revealed to me that a group of jinns listened (to this Quran). They said: 'Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Quran)!
2. 'It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allah).
The polytheists seek intercession from someone other than Allah...
Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 13
And there will not be for them among their [alleged] partners any intercessors, and they will [then] be disbelievers in their partners.
Allah is far above what the polytheists associate with Him.
Or have they an ilah (a god) other than Allah? Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partners (to Him).
He is Allah than Whom there is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!
They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!
Allah is He Who created you, then provided food for you, then will cause you to die, then (again) He will give you life (on the Day of Resurrection). Is there any of your (so-called) partners (of Allah) that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that (evil) they associate (with Him).
The command of Allah is coming, so be not impatient for it. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
He created the heavens and the earth with consummate wisdom. He is above having any partners that they ascribe [to Him].
All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!
And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses, no choice have they (in any matter). Glorified be Allah, and exalted above all that they associate as partners (with Him).
Examples of Co-opting...
Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them know not.
The situation mentioned in the verse can be understood as a comparison between "tawhid," which means believing in one God, and "shirk," which means associating partners in belief. Accordingly, an example is given using two individuals: one man with multiple masters who are in conflict with each other, and another with only one master. The aim is to show that the situations of these two individuals cannot be the same.
The person with multiple masters cannot satisfy all of them because if he obeys one master's orders, the others will be neglected. However, the person with only one master does not have this situation. He can do whatever his master asks of him without fear or hesitation and live his life as desired.
He presents to you an example from yourselves. Do you have among those whom your right hands possess any partners in what We have provided for you so that you are equal therein [and] would fear them as your fear of one another [within a partnership]? Thus do We detail the verses for a people who use reason.
The things possessed, given the period in which the revelation was sent, could have been "slaves," as the expression "mâ meleket eymânüküm" means "what your right hands possess." When we extend the message to a universal context, we can consider the expression "mâ meleket eymânüküm," especially due to the preposition "mâ" at the beginning, as encompassing a broader scope. It can be interpreted as including, primarily, slaves and female slaves, but also servants, possessions, wealth, animals, various objects, etc., everything that is under the control of people. Because the preposition "mâ" at the beginning of the expression indicates that we must consider the meaning in this comprehensive way. In such a case, just as individuals do not want their possessions to be considered equal to or partners with them, God Almighty never accepts partners in His dominion. Ultimately, the things that people possess are not things they created themselves. The power that gives all possessions to humanity belongs to God Almighty.
Parents can also be polytheists…
And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.
But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.
The Fate Awaiting Polytheists in the Hereafter...
When all the disbelieving polytheists from previous and subsequent generations are gathered together for judgment in the Hereafter, Allah Almighty will ask them many mocking questions about those they associated with Him.
These question sentences are certainly not expressions expecting an answer; rather, they are sentences of reproach intended to expose the liars and helplessness of those addressed. These requests are an expression of mockery and condemnation, like asking the impossible of the polytheists.
And on the Day when We shall gather them all together, We shall say to those who joined partners in worship (with Us): "Where are your partners (false deities) whom you used to assert (as partners in worship with Allah)?"
The only oath expressed in the Quran using the phrase "by Allah" is found here; however, this will be used as a false oath by the polytheists during the Day of Judgment.
There will then be (left) no Fitnah (excuses or statements or arguments) for them but to say: "By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who joined others in worship with Allah."
Say: "Show me those whom you have joined to Him as partners. Nay! But He is Allah (Alone), the AllMighty, the AllWise."
Say: "Is there of your (Allah's so-called) partners one that originates the creation and then repeats it?" Say: "Allah originates the creation and then He repeats it. Then how are you deluded away (from the truth)?"
Say: "Is there of your (Allah's so-called) partners one that guides to the truth?" Say: "It is Allah Who guides to the truth. Is then He, Who gives guidance to the truth, more worthy to be followed, or he who finds not guidance (himself) unless he is guided? Then, what is the matter with you? How judge you?"
And (remember) the Day when He will call to them, and say: "Where are My (so-called) partners whom you used to assert?"
And it will be said: "Call upon your (so-called) partners (of Allah), and they will call upon them, but they will give no answer to them, and they will see the torment. (They will then wish) if only they had been guided!
refer to Him (Alone) the knowledge of the Hour. No fruit comes out of its sheath, nor does a female conceive , nor brings forth, except by His Knowledge. And on the Day when He will call unto them: "Where are My (so-called) partners?" They will say: "We inform You that none of us bears witness to it!"
Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them, and say, ‘Where are My “partners” for whose sake you used to defy [Allah]?’ Those who were given knowledge will say, ‘Indeed today disgrace and distress pursue the faithless.’
The day He will say, ‘Call those whom you maintained to be My partners,’ they will call them, but they will not respond to them, for We shall set an abyss between them.
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
Say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, and Peace be to the servants whom He has chosen.’ Is Allah better, or the partners they ascribe [to Him]?
Say, ‘Invoke those whom you claim [to be gods] besides Allah! They do not control [even] an atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth, nor do they have any share in [either of] them, nor is any of them His helper.’
Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite!.
Is then He (Allah) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned (like any other deities who know nothing)? Yet they ascribe partners to Allah. Say: "Name them! Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth or is it (just) a show of false words." Nay! To those who disbelieve, their plotting is made fairseeming, and they have been hindered from the Right Path, and whom Allah sends astray, for him, there is no guide.
Here, Almighty Allah presents the absolute knowledge of what every soul earns, while those whom they associate with Him do not possess such ability or power, in the form of a question. The divine power that knows everything everyone earns certainly cannot be equated with beings that lack such a quality.
Examples of the Situation of Polytheists in the Hereafter…
So when they saw Our punishment, they said: "We believe in Allah Alone and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners.
And when those who associated partners with Allah see their partners, they will say: "Our Lord! These are our partners whom we used to invoke besides you." But they will throw back their word at them: "Surely! You indeed are liars!"
On the day when We gather them all together, We shall say to those who ascribe partners [to Allah], ‘Stay where you are—you and your partners!’ Then We shall set them apart from one another, and their partners will say, ‘It was not us that you worshipped.
If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters].
Indeed Allah will indeed judge between the faithful, the Jews, the Sabaeans, the Christians, the Magians and the polytheists on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allah is witness to all things.