Surah Maryam Ayat 81 (19:81 Quran) With Tafsir

Ala-Maududi

(19:81) They have taken other gods instead of Allah that they may be a source of strength for them.^[49]

49. The Arabic word Izzan (from Izat) implies a powerful and strong person whom nobody may dare do any harm; here it means a person’s having such a strong supporter that no enemy or opponent of his may even cherish an evil intention against him.

Ibn-Kathir

81. And they have taken gods besides Allah, that they might give them honor, power and glory. 82. Nay, but they will deny their worship of them, and will become their adversaries. 83. See you not that We have sent the Shayatin against the disbelievers to push them to do evil. 84. So make no haste against them; We only count out to them a (limited) number.

Allah, the Exalted, informs about the disbelievers who associate partners with their Lord, that they have taken gods besides Allah, so that these gods may be a source of honor and might for them. They think that these gods give them power and make them victorious. Then, Allah mentions that the matter is not as they claim, and it will not be as they hope. He says,

(Nay, but they will deny their worship of them,) on the Day of Judgement.

(and will become their adversaries.) This means that they will be foes in a state other than what they think about these gods. This is similar to Allah’s statement,

(And who is more astray than one who calls upon, besides Allah, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls to them And when mankind are gathered, they will become their enemies and will deny their worshipping.) ﴿46:5-6﴾ As-Suddi said,

(Nay, but they will deny their worship of them,) “This means their worshipping of the idols. ” Allah said,

(and will become their adversaries) contrary to what they hoped for from these gods. As-Suddi said,

(and will become their adversaries.) “They will be in severe opposition and argument.” Ad-Dahhak said,

(and will become their adversaries.) “This means enemies.”

Concerning Allah’s statement,

(See you not that We have sent the Shayatin against the disbelievers to push them to do evil.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said, “They will lead them astray with temptation.” Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said, “They will incite them against Muhammad and his Companions.” Qatadah said, “They will harass them and disturb them until they disobey Allah.” `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd said, “This is similar to Allah’s statement,

(And whosoever turns away blindly from the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We appoint for him a Shaytan to be a companion for him.)” ﴿43:36﴾ Concerning Allah’s statement,

(So make no haste against them; We only count out to them a (limited) number.) This means, “Do not be hasty with the punishment that is going to befall them, O Muhammad.”

(We only count out to them a number. ) This means, “We are only delaying them for a fixed appointment whose time is numbered. They are destined for that and there is no escaping the torment of Allah and His exemplary punishment.” Allah says,

(And consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the wrongdoers do.) ﴿14:42﴾ And He says,

(So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.) ﴿86:17﴾ And Allah says,

(We postpone the punishment only so that they may increase in sinfulness.) ﴿3:178﴾

(We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a great torment.) ﴿31:24﴾

(Say: “Enjoy! But certainly, your destination is the (Hell) Fire.”) ﴿14:30﴾ As-Suddi said,

(We only count out to them a (limited) number. ) means years, months, days and hours.”