Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-An'am -> Allah is the Irresistible, Able to Bring Benefit and Protect from Harm

Allah states that He Alone brings benefit or harm, and that He does what He wills with His creatures, none can resist His judgment or prevent what He decrees,

﴿وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلاَ كَـشِفَ لَهُ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدُيرٌ ﴾

(And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is able to do all things.) Similarly, Allah said,

﴿مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلاَ مُمْسِكَ لَهَا وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلاَ مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ﴾

(Whatever mercy, Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter) ﴿35:2﴾. It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah used to supplicate,

«اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَد»

(O Allah, there is none Who can avert what You grant or give what You deprive, and no fortune ever helps the fortunate against You.) This is why Allah said,

﴿وَهُوَ الْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِ﴾

(And He is the Irresistible, above His servants,) meaning, to Him the necks are subservient, the tyrants humble before Him and He has complete control over all things. The creatures have all bowed to Allah and are humbled before His grace, honor, pride, greatness, highness and ability over all things. The creatures are insignificant before Him, for they are all under His irresistible decision and power,

﴿وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ﴾

(and He is the All-Wise,) in all His actions,

﴿الْخَبِيرُ﴾

(Well-Acquainted with all things.) Who places everything in its rightful place, grants and favors whomever deserves His favor. Allah said next,

﴿قُلْ أَىُّ شَىْءٍ أَكْبَرُ شَهَـدةً﴾

(Say: "What thing is the most great in witness'') or what is the greatest witness,

﴿قُلِ اللَّهِ شَهِيدٌ بِيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ﴾

(Say: "Allah (the Most Great!) is Witness between you and I'') for He knows what I brought you and what you will answer me with,

﴿وَأُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانُ لاٌّنذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَن بَلَغَ﴾

(this Qur'an has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.) Therefore, this Qur'an is a warner for all those who hear of it. In another Ayah, Allah said,

﴿وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ﴾

(But those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place.) ﴿11:17﴾ Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said, "Those who follow the Messenger of Allah ought to call to what the Messenger of Allah called to and warn against what he warned against.'' Allah said next,

﴿أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَشْهَدُونَ﴾

("Can you verily bear witness...'') O idolators,

﴿أَنَّ مَعَ اللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً أُخْرَى قُل لاَّ أَشْهَدُ﴾

("that besides Allah there are other gods'' Say, "I bear no (such) witness!'') Similarly, in another Ayah, Allah said;

﴿فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ﴾

(Then if they testify, testify not you with them.) ﴿6:150﴾ Allah said next,

﴿قُلْ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـهٌ وَحِدٌ وَإِنَّنِى بَرِىءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ﴾

(Say: "Only He is God, alone, and truly I am innocent of what you join in worship with Him.'')