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Surah Az-Zumar, Verse 3

سورة الزمر، الآية ٣

39:3 Juz 23 Hizb 46 Page 458 of the mushaf Meccan surah

Text of verse 39:3

أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ ۝٣

Transliteration

alā lillahi l-dīnu l-khāliṣu wa-alladhīna ittakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāa mā naʿbuduhum illā liyuqarribūnā ilā l-lahi zul'fā inna l-laha yaḥkumu baynahum fī mā hum fīhi yakhtalifūna inna l-laha lā yahdī man huwa kādhibun kaffārun

Translation

Unquestionably, for Allāh is the pure religion.1339 And those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allāh in position." Indeed, Allāh will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allāh does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

Notes

[1339] i.e., acceptable to Allāh is that none be associated with Him in worship and obedience.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 3 of Surah Az-Zumar (39:3), a Meccan surah, is in juz 23, on page 458 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.

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Tafsir of verse 3

Al-Mukhtasar

Definitely, for Allah is the religion pure of impurities. And those who have taken friends besides Allah, such as idols which they worship besides Allah, presenting an excuse for worshipping them by saying: “We do not worship these except so that they bring us closer to Allah in status, present our needs to Him and intercede on our behalf with Him”. Allah will decide between the monotheist believers and the disbelievers who associate partners with Allah on the day of judgment regarding the oneness of Allah they used to differ in. Allah does not place guidance in the hearts of those who lie against Allah by attributing an associate with Him and who denies Allah’s favours upon him.

Tafsir of the whole Surah Az-Zumar

Other translations of verse 3

Indeed, sincere devotion is due to Allah alone1. As for those who take others as guardians besides Him, [saying], “We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah.” Allah will judge between them2 concerning that over which they differ. Allah does not guide anyone who is a liar and a persistent disbeliever.

Notes

[1] i.e., He only accepts sincere worship and obedience.
[2] i.e., between those who were devoted to Allah alone and those who associated partners with Him.

Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allâh only. And those who take Auliyâ’ (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): "We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allâh." Verily Allâh will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allâh guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.

Surely pure religion is for Allah only. And those who choose protecting friends beside Him (say): We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah. Lo! Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Lo! Allah guideth not him who is a liar, an ingrate.

Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): "We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful.

Now, surely, sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone) and (as for) those who take guardians besides Him, (saying), We do not serve them save that they may make us nearer to Allah, surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ; surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful.

Verily the faithful religion is for Allah. And the ones who take to themselves patrons apart from Him (say), "In no way do we worship them excepting that they may bring us near in proximity to Allah." Surely Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ among themselves. Surely Allah does not guide him who is a liar, a most disbelieving (person).

Verse 3 word by word

  1. أَلَا alā Unquestionably
  2. لِلَّهِ lillahi for Allah
  3. ٱلدِّينُ l-dīnu (is) the religion د ي ن
  4. ٱلْخَالِصُ l-khāliṣu the pure خ ل ص
  5. وَٱلَّذِينَ wa-alladhīna And those who
  6. ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ ittakhadhū take أ خ ذ
  7. مِن min besides Him
  8. دُونِهِۦٓ dūnihi besides Him د و ن
  9. أَوْلِيَآءَ awliyāa protectors و ل ي
  10. مَا mā Not
  11. نَعْبُدُهُمْ naʿbuduhum we worship them ع ب د
  12. إِلَّا illā except
  13. لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ liyuqarribūnā that they may bring us near ق ر ب
  14. إِلَى ilā to
  15. ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
  16. زُلْفَىٰٓ zul'fā (in) nearness ز ل ف
  17. إِنَّ inna Indeed
  18. ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
  19. يَحْكُمُ yaḥkumu will judge ح ك م
  20. بَيْنَهُمْ baynahum between them ب ي ن
  21. فِى fī in
  22. مَا mā what
  23. هُمْ hum they
  24. فِيهِ fīhi [in it]
  25. يَخْتَلِفُونَ yakhtalifūna differ خ ل ف
  26. إِنَّ inna Indeed
  27. ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
  28. لَا lā (does) not
  29. يَهْدِى yahdī guide ه د ي
  30. مَنْ man (one) who
  31. هُوَ huwa [he]
  32. كَٰذِبٌ kādhibun (is) a liar ك ذ ب
  33. كَفَّارٌ kaffārun and a disbeliever ك ف ر

Verses related to verse 3

Cited by Ibn Kathir in his explanation of this verse

  • An-Nahl 16:36

    وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

    And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allāh and avoid ṭāghūt." And among them were those whom Allāh guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.

  • Al-Anbya 21:25

    وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ

    And We sent not before you any messenger except We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

  • An-Nahl 16:74

    فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

    So do not assert similarities to Allāh. Indeed, Allāh knows and you do not know.

  • Saba 34:40–41

    وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ …

    And [mention] the Day when He will gather them all and then say to the angels, "Did these [people] used to worship you?" …

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • Ash-Shuraa 42:6

    وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ

    And those who take as allies other than Him - Allāh is [yet] Guardian over them; and you, [O Muḥammad], are not over them a manager -

  • Ghafir 40:28

    وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَٰنَهُۥٓ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَن يَقُولَ رَبِّىَ ٱللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ وَإِن يَكُ كَٰذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُۥ وَإِن يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُم بَعْضُ ٱلَّذِى يَعِدُكُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ

    And a believing man from the family of Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, "Do you kill a man [merely] because he says, 'My Lord is Allāh' while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he should be lying, then upon him is [the consequence of] his lie; but if he should be truthful, there will strike you some of what he promises you. Indeed, Allāh does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.

  • An-Nahl 16:37

    إِن تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَىٰهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَن يُضِلُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

    [Even] if you should strive for their guidance, [O Muḥammad], indeed, Allāh does not guide those He sends astray, and they will have no helpers.

  • Ash-Shuraa 42:9

    أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ فَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ وَهُوَ يُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

    Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides Him? But Allāh - He is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.

  • Al-Munafiqun 63:6

    سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ لَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ

    It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allāh forgive them. Indeed, Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

  • Al-Ma’idah 5:51

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

    O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allāh guides not the wrongdoing people.

All similar verses of Surah Az-Zumar

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