The Fly (al-Hajj)

The Quran issues a stark challenge to those who worship besides God: if all those deities gathered together they could not create a fly. More striking still: if a fly were to steal something from them, they could not reclaim it. A parable showing through the smallest creatures the powerlessness of all that is worshipped besides God.

The Quran addresses people directly: 'O people! A parable is presented, so listen to it.' Then it issues the challenge.

The false gods — idols, statues and all that is called upon besides God — cannot create a fly even if they all gathered. For creating the most insignificant of living creatures is entirely beyond their capacity.

The Quran goes further in a remarkable style: if a fly were to steal something from them they could not even reclaim it. They create nothing and can do nothing before the weakest of thieves.

The verse concludes with a comprehensive word: 'Weak are the seeker and the sought.' That is, the worshipped idol is as weak as the worshipping supplicant. The following verse adds: those who do this have not appraised God with His true appraisal — for He is the Powerful, the Almighty.

This verse is one of the Quran's most powerful parables against polytheism. Its force lies in the unbridgeable gap it draws: those who claim divinity cannot match even God the Creator, nor the fly they cannot control. The Quran deliberately chooses the insect people despise and swat to expose the powerlessness of idols. The theological message is clear and complete: God alone creates, God alone deserves worship.

The fly teaches by contrast the unique greatness of God: what false gods gathered together cannot do — create a fly — God does effortlessly. An invitation not to place hope or direct prayers to what is powerless, but to the sole capable Creator. A lesson in monotheism.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًٔا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ

Ô hommes ! Une parabole vous est proposée, écoutez-la avec attention : les fausses divinités que vous invoquez en dehors d'Allah ne sauraient créer une simple mouche même si, pour cela, ils devaient unir leurs forces. Pire ! Si une mouche venait à leur enlever quelque chose, ils ne pourraient le lui reprendre. Celui qui est sollicité est aussi faible que celui qui le sollicite.

22:73