A Parable for the Weakness of the False Gods of the Polytheists

Ali bin Abi Talib (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said that Allah's statement,

For Him is the Word of Truth, is in reference to Tawhid, according to Ibn Jarir At-Tabari. Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, and Malik who narrated it from Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir, said that,

For Him is the Word of Truth. means, "La ilaha illallah.'' Allah said next,

And those whom they invoke besides Him..., meaning, the example of those who worship others besides Allah,

like one who stretches forth his hand for water to reach his mouth, `Ali bin Abi Talib (Radhi Allahu Anhu) commented, "Like he who stretches his hand on the edge of a deep well to reach the water, even though his hands do not reach it; so how can the water reach his mouth'' Mujahid said about,

like one who stretches forth his hand "Calling the water with his words and pointing at it, but it will never come to him this way.'' The meaning of this Ayah is that he who stretches his hand to water from far away, to either collect some or draw some from far away, will not benefit from the water which will not reach his mouth, where water should be consumed. Likewise, those idolators who call another deity besides Allah, will never benefit from these deities in this life or the

Hereafter, hence Allah's statement,

and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but misguidance.


Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version.