Erasing the Accusation of Shirk

007.138 And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they
came unto a people who were given up to idols which they had. They said: O
Moses! Make for us a god even as they have gods. He said: Lo! ye are a
folk who know not.
WHAT THE COMMENTATORS OF THE QUR’AN
HAVE SAID ABOUT THE FOLLOWING VERSES
016.020 Those unto whom they cry beside Allah created naught, but are
themselves created.
016.021 (They are) dead, not living. And they know not when they will be
raised.
016.022 Your God is One God. But as for those who believe not in the
Hereafter their hearts refuse to know, for they are proud.
The commentators of the Qur’an have said that where the words ‘besides
Allah’ have been mentioned it refers to the idols that had been worshipped.
They have also said the word ‘dead’ here means that Allah is alive [and
never dies] whereas the idols are dead. Further they have said that when
Allah says ‘they do not know when they will be risen’ this means the idols
do not know when those who worship them (the polytheists) will be raised.
Another opinion is that on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will create a soul
in them and the idols will be brought to life. They will be raised and will
speak saying they do not know why they were worshipped. 16
MARTYRS ARE ALIVE IN THEIR GRAVES
The following verses talk about how those who have been martyred in
Allah’s way are not dead but are Alive. As Allah Almighty says in the
Qur’an:
002.154 And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay,
they are living, only ye perceive not.
003.169 Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay,
they are living. With their Lord they have provision
16 See Imam Tabari, Imam Ibn Abi Hatim, Allamah Ibn al Jawzi, Allamah Qurtabi, Hafidh Ibn Kathir and
Qadhi Shawkani in their respective tafsirs under the respective verses discussed
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