Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Ghafir -> The Prohibition of Shirk, the Order for Tawhid, and the Evidence

Allah says, `say, O Muhammad, to these idolators, that Allah forbids them to worship anyone, such as these idols and false gods, except Him.' Allah explains that no one apart from Him is deserving of worship, as He says:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلاً ثُمَّ لِتَـبْلُغُواْ أَشُدَّكُـمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُـونُواْ شُيُوخاً﴾

(It is He, Who has created you from dust, then from a Nutfah then from a clot (a piece of coagulated blood), then brings you forth as an infant, then (makes you grow) to reach the age of full strength, and afterwards to be old.) meaning, He is the One Who Alone, with no partner or associate, causes you to pass through these different stages, and this happens in accordance with His command, will and decree.

﴿وَمِنكُمْ مَّن يُتَوَفَّى مِن قَبْلُ﴾

(though some among you die before) means, before being fully formed and emerging to this world; so his mother miscarries him. And there are some who die in infancy or in their youth, or when they are adults but before they reach old age, as Allah says:

﴿لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَنُقِرُّ فِى الاٌّرْحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى﴾

(that We may make (it) clear to you. And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term) (22:5).

﴿وَلِتَبْلُغُواْ أَجَلاً مُّسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّـكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ﴾

(and that you reach an appointed term in order that you may understand. ) Ibn Jurayj said, "In order that you may remember the Resurrection.'' Then Allah says:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِى يُحْىِ وَيُمِيتُ﴾

(It is He Who gives life and causes death.) meaning, He is the Only One Who does that, and none is able to do that except He.

﴿فَإِذَا قَضَى أَمْراً فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فيَكُونُ﴾

(And when He decides upon a thing He says to it only: "Be!'' -- and it is.) means, He cannot be opposed or resisted. Whatever He wills definitely comes to pass.

﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُجَـدِلُونَ فِى ءَايَـتِ اللَّهِ أَنَّى يُصْرَفُونَ - الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِالْكِـتَـبِ وَبِمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا بِهِ رُسُلَنَا فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ - إِذِ الاٌّغْلَـلُ فِى أَعْنَـقِهِمْ والسَّلَـسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ - فِى الْحَمِيمِ ثُمَّ فِى النَّارِ يُسْجَرُونَ - ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ - مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ قَـالُواْ ضَـلُّواْ عَنَّا بَل لَّمْ نَكُنْ نَّدْعُواْ مِن قَبْلُ شَيْئاً كَذَلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الْكَـفِرِينَ - ذَلِكُمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَمْرَحُونَ - ادْخُلُواْ أَبْوَبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ ﴾

(69. See you not those who dispute about the Ayat of Allah How are they turning away) (70. Those who deny the Book, and that with which We sent Our Messengers they will come to know.) (71. When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along,) (72. In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire.) (73. Then it will be said to them: "Where are (all) those whom you used to consider partners'') (74. ''Besides Allah'' They will say: "They have vanished from us. Nay, we did not call upon anything before.'' Thus Allah leads astray the disbelievers.) (75. That was because you had been exulting in the earth without any right, and that you used to rejoice extremely.) (76. Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein, and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!)