Quranic verse, translation and commentary at iSerat
Sharing preview
Surah An-Nas — Verse 3
إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ
The God of humankind
The third description at the opening of Surah An-Nas is Ilah an-Nas: the God of humankind. Having spoken of God's care and sovereignty, the surah now turns to the relationship we establish with Him through worship.
An ilah is a deity or object of worship. But when the Quran calls God the God of humankind, it does not mean that everyone actually worships Him alone. People may choose other objects of worship. Rather, God is the one true God, the only One who deserves worship, and no one else has a rightful claim to that position.
Seeking refuge in God as our ilah is more than asking to escape a danger. It is also connected with sincerity in worship. A sincere servant recognises God as the One deserving ultimate devotion and strives to bring personal aims and conduct into harmony with His guidance. The verse thus invites a question: do we turn to God only when we feel threatened, or do we also look to His guidance when making choices and shaping our lives?
This question is closely connected with the surah's central theme. Whispering can gradually change a person's standards: it may make something wrong appear attractive or draw them away from what they know to be right. Remembering God as the true object of worship helps restore the measure by which such influences can be judged.
The description of the One in whom we seek refuge is now complete. We turn to a single God who is our Lord, our Sovereign and the One truly worthy of worship. The following verses identify the danger against which we seek His protection.
The third description at the opening of Surah An-Nas is Ilah an-Nas: the God of humankind. Having spoken of God's care and sovereignty, the surah now turns to the relationship we establish with Him through worship.
An ilah is a deity or object of worship. But when the Quran calls God the God of humankind, it does not mean that everyone actually worships Him alone. People may choose other objects of worship. Rather, God is the one true God, the only One who deserves worship, and no one else has a rightful claim to that position.
Seeking refuge in God as our ilah is more than asking to escape a danger. It is also connected with sincerity in worship. A sincere servant recognises God as the One deserving ultimate devotion and strives to bring personal aims and conduct into harmony with His guidance. The verse thus invites a question: do we turn to God only when we feel threatened, or do we also look to His guidance when making choices and shaping our lives?
This question is closely connected with the surah's central theme. Whispering can gradually change a person's standards: it may make something wrong appear attractive or draw them away from what they know to be right. Remembering God as the true object of worship helps restore the measure by which such influences can be judged.
The description of the One in whom we seek refuge is now complete. We turn to a single God who is our Lord, our Sovereign and the One truly worthy of worship. The following verses identify the danger against which we seek His protection.