What is the interpretation of the saying of Allah the Exalted: "Say, if the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of those who worship him"?
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The questioner : A questioner asks: What is the meaning of the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Az-Zukhruf 43:81]?
The Shaykh : The meaning of the noble verse is that if it were possible for the Most Merciful to have a son, then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would be the first to worship that son. But is this possible? No, this is like His saying:[Yunus 10:94] and His saying: [Az-Zumar 39:65]. The Messenger cannot associate partners with Allah, nor can he be in doubt. However, this is in the category of explaining the strength of the impossibility of a thing. So His saying: means that it is impossible to the utmost degree of impossibility. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
Say, [O Muhammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."
قل إن كان للرحمن ولد فأنا أول العابدينThe Shaykh : The meaning of the noble verse is that if it were possible for the Most Merciful to have a son, then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would be the first to worship that son. But is this possible? No, this is like His saying:
So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you
فإن كنت في شك مما أنزلنا إليك فاسأل الذين يقرأون الكتاب من قبلكif you should associate [anything] with Allah, your work would surely become worthless
لئن أشركت ليحبطن عملكSay, if the Most Merciful had a son
قل إن كان للرحمن ولدThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.