What does Quran 43:81 mean?

Quran 43:81 (Surah Az-Zukhruf, Ayah 81) translates to: "Say, [O Muhammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers.""

Which Surah and Juz is Quran 43:81 from?

This ayah is from Surah Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments of gold), the 43th surah of the Quran. It appears in Juz 25.

Are there hadiths related to Quran 43:81?

Yes — there are 5 hadiths related to this ayah from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Jami` at-Tirmidhi.

What tafsir is available for Quran 43:81?

Commentary on this ayah is available from Ibn Kathir, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Abbas, Al-Jalalayn — classical scholars of Quranic exegesis.

Ayah 80

أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَن...

43:81Az-Zukhruf

Q: What topics does Quran 43:81 relate to?

This ayah connects to these Quranic topics: Tawhid, Refutation of Divine Offspring, Worship of Allah Alone, Rejection of Polytheism, Divine Attributes.

Ayah 82

سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱل...

قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدٌۭ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَٰبِدِينَ

Qul in kaana lir Rahmaani walad; fa-ana awwalul 'aabideen

Say, [O Muhammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."

Themes in this ayah

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Oneness of Allah94

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Oneness of Allah

43:81Ayah 189

10 ayahs in Az-Zukhruf are strongly about the oneness of Allah. This is one of them.

← Previous on Oneness of Allah43:64Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."Next on Oneness of Allah →43:84And it is Allah who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.

Tafsir

Scholars offer complementary perspectives

View Full Tafsir: Al-Jalalayn on 43:81→

Say ‘If the Compassionate One had a son hypothetically speaking I would have been first among the worshippers of that son; but it is established that He exalted be He does not have a child and thus there can be no worshipping of such a child.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'The son of Adam tells a lie against me though he has no right to do so, and he abuses Me though he has no right to do so. As for his telling a lie against Me, it is that he claims that I cannot recreate him as I created him before; and as for his abusing Me, it is his statement that I have offspring. No! Glorified be Me! I am far from taking a wife or offspring.' "

Sahih Muslim #5974Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Sahih

I am most akin to the son of Mary among the whole of mankind and the Prophets are of different mothers, but of one religion, and no Prophet was raised between me and him (Jesus Christ).

Sahih al-Bukhari #3060Narrated Abu Huraira:Sahih

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Most Superior said, "The son of Adam slights Me, and he should not slight Me, and he disbelieves in Me, and he ought not to do so. As for his slighting Me, it is that he says that I have a son; and his disbelief in Me is his statement that I shall not recreate him as I have created (him) before."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3703Narrated Anas bin Malik:Sahih

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "I am the first of the people to appear upon their being resurrected, and I am their spokesman whenever they gather, and I am the one that gives them glad tidings whenever they give up hope. And the Banner of Praise will be in my hand that day, and I am the most noble of the children of Adam with my Lord, and I am not boasting."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3708Narrated Abu Sa'eed:Sahih

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "I am the master of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgement, and I am not boasting. The Banner of Praise will be in my hand, and I am not boasting. There will not be a Prophet on that day, not Adam nor anyone other than him, except that he will be under my banner. And I am the first one for whom the earth will be opened for, and I am not bragging."