Surah Saba

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

[Surah Saba (34): Verse 22]

“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim to be gods besides Allah. They do not possess even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either, nor does He have any helper among them.’” (22)

Consider how this verse blocks every avenue by which the polytheists come to associate partners with Allah, closing the door on them in the most complete and decisive manner. A worshipper becomes attached to an object of worship only because he hopes to benefit from it. Otherwise, if he hoped for no benefit from it, his heart would never become attached to it. Thus, the object of worship must either own the means by which its worshipper benefits, share ownership with their owner, serve as that owner’s supporter, minister, or assistant, or possess sufficient standing, respect, and esteem to intercede with him. When these four possibilities are excluded in every respect, the grounds for associating partners with Allah disappear, and its sources are cut off.

Allah, glorified be He, therefore denied that their gods possess even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth.

A polytheist might then say, “They share ownership with the true Owner.” So He denied that they have any share with Him.

The polytheist might then say, “They may be supporters, ministers, or assistants.” So He said: “Nor does He have any helper among them.”