إِلَٰه (Ilaah)
refers to the greatest object of someone’s love.
That which is worshipped, obeyed and turned to.
Ayah 50:26 — Explanation Landing Page
الَّذِي جَعَلَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ فَأَلْقِيَاهُ فِي الْعَذَابِ الشَّدِيدِ
Ayah 50:26
“The one who associated with Allah another god (or deity).”
Insight
- Although this can refer to actual false gods or idols that were worshipped, it is observed that the context in which it has come has no mention of other gods.
- Within the context in which this mention has come this “other god” can be understood to refer to the person’s Nafs which he obeyed unconditionally.
- إِلَٰه (Ilaah) refers to the greatest object of someone’s love — that which is worshipped, obeyed and turned to.
أَفَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ
(Al-Jathiyah: 24)
Key Terms and Meanings
Nafs
The person’s self when obeyed unconditionally can serve as the “other god” within the context of this mention.
Hawaa (Desires)
أَفَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ
Desires treated as the object of ultimate obedience.
Who is obeyed and turned to?
“Ilaah” is the greatest object of love — that which is worshipped, obeyed and turned to.