Transliteration:( Wa in jaahadaaka 'alaaa an tushrika bee maa laisa laka bihee 'ilmun falaa tuti'humaa wa saahib humaa fid dunyaa ma'roofanw wattabi' sabeela man anaaba ilayy; summa ilaiya marji'ukum fa unabbi'ukum bimaa kuntum ta'maloon )
"And if they both strive to make you associate with Me a thing which you have no knowledge of [29], then do not obey [30] them, but keep company [31] with them in all the worldly affairs. And follow him who turns [32] to Me. Then to Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do."
This refers to parents urging their child toward polytheism or disbelief. The verse clarifies that shirk (associating partners with Allah) has no basis in knowledge or truth. It is based on false assumptions, traditions, or desires, not divine evidence. Allah is One and without partner, and no rational or revealed proof can support associating others with Him.
Here, it is made clear that obedience to parents is not absolute. If they command disobedience to Allah, such as committing shirk, abandoning worship, or violating His laws, then one must not obey them in those matters. This verse establishes that Allah’s command supersedes all human commands, including parental ones.
Even if one’s parents are disbelievers or polytheists, they still deserve kind treatment and companionship in worldly affairs. This includes financial support, personal service, patience with their harshness, and gentle behavior. The believer is expected to maintain cordial relations with them while not compromising on faith.
One must serve and obey parents in all lawful matters, but always walk the path of the righteous, even if parents are transgressors. Guidance should be offered kindly, never harshly.
This verse subtly affirms that a true religion must have pious saints, whose example serves as a model of sincerity and divine connection.
The saints of Allah have always followed the established path (Muqallideen). None of them were non-conformists, showing that conformity to truth and tradition is a hallmark of sincerity and sound belief.
The tafsir of Surah Luqman verse 15 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Luqman ayat 13 which provides the complete commentary from verse 13 through 15.
(31:15) But if they press you to associate others with Me in My Divinity, (to associate) those regarding whom you have no knowledge[24] (that they are My associates), do not obey them. And yet treat them well in this world, and follow the way of him who turns to Me in devotion. Eventually it is to Me that all of you shall return,[25] and I shall then tell you all that you did.”[26]
24. “All of you”: the children as well as the parents.
25. For explanation, see (Surah Al-Ankabut, ayat 8) note 11-12.
26. The other admonitions of Luqman are being narrated here to imply that like the basic beliefs, the teachings pertaining to morals that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is presenting, are not anything new in Arabia.
[1161]- See footnote to 29:8.
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