Tafseer of The Poets · Ash-Shu'araa · 26:77
Indeed, they are enemies to me, except the Lord of the worlds,
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
فَإِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّ لِي إِلا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ (They are my enemies, except the Lord of the Worlds). One might ask: How can wood, iron, and copper be described as enemies of the son of Adam? The meaning is: they would be my enemies if I had worshipped them on the Day of Resurrection, just as Allah, exalted is His praise, says: وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ آلِهَةً لِيَكُونُوا لَهُمْ عِزًّا * كَلا سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا (They have taken gods besides Allah that they might be a source of strength for them. Nay — they will deny their worship and become their adversaries).
And His word: إِلا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ (except the Lord of the Worlds) — in the accusative, as an exception. The word "enemy" (ʿaduww) carries the meaning of a plural, but it stands in the singular because it is expressed in the form of a verbal noun (maṣdar), like qaʿūd (sitting) and julūs (being seated).
The meaning of the text is: "Have you considered every object of worship for you and for your forefathers — I declare myself free of it and do not worship it, except the Lord of the Worlds."
