What is the meaning of the word "nid" (equal/rival) in His, the Almighty's, saying: "And they set up rivals to Allah that they might lead (people) astray from His Path"? And is rivalry a prerequisite for the existence of an equal, or is mere equivalence sufficient?

The word "al-nidd" (الند) in Arabic has two meanings: the first is the opposite or antagonist, and the second is the like or equivalent. The noble verse: (وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَنْدَاداً) "And they set up rivals unto Allah" encompasses both meanings. The polytheists attributed a special status to others besides Allah and likened them to Him, yet they did not believe their deities were antagonists to Allah, but rather considered them intercessors. The Prophet, peace be upon him, considered merely equating the will of a creature with the will of the Creator as setting up a rival. The religious texts confirm that there is no god but Allah, as a common noun in the context of negation signifies universality. There is no god other than Allah, and everything besides Him is created. Even those who denied Allah's existence, like Pharaoh, knew in their hearts of His existence. Therefore, claiming the existence of other deities outside the heavens and the earth is a statement made without knowledge.