Transliteration:( Qaala a-ghairal laahi abgheekum ilaahanw wa Huwa faddalakum 'alal 'aalameen )
He said: "Shall I seek for a god (298) other than Allah, whereas He has exalted you above all the peoples of the world?" (299)
Musa (peace be upon him) strongly rejected their request, emphasizing that Allah is not a god to be searched for or invented—He is the One who grants greatness and blessings, and is already evident through His favors. A true God is the One who sustains and elevates, not one made by human hands. Therefore, only Allah is worthy of worship, and it is foolish to seek any alternative.
Two key lessons emerge from this verse:
Being from the lineage of Prophets is a source of divine blessing, as was the case with the Children of Israel, who were descendants of Prophets. Similarly, Sayyids today carry a noble distinction, but only if they are believers. Without faith, lineage alone carries no value.
The mere thought or suggestion of disbelief is not itself disbelief, for if it were, the Israelites would not have still been addressed with honor and reminded of their exalted status at the time. This teaches that spiritual slips or confusion do not instantly strip someone of divine favor—as long as the heart remains inclined to truth.
140. He said: “Shall I seek for you an ilah (a god) other than Allah, while He has given you superiority over the nations.” 141. And (remember) when We rescued you from Fir`awn’s people, who were afflicting you with the worst torment, killing your sons and letting your women live. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.
Musa reminded the Children of Israel of Allah’s blessings, such as saving them from Fir`awn, his tyranny and the humiliation and disgrace they suffered. He reminded them of the glory and revenge against their enemy, when they watched them suffering in disgrace, destroyed by drowning and meeting utter demise. We mentioned this subject in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah.
(7:140) Moses said: ‘Should I seek any god for you other than Allah although it is He who has exalted you above all?’
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[399]- An object of worship.
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