وَحَآجَّهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ ۚ قَالَ أَتُحَـٰٓجُّوٓنِّى فِى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَىٰنِ ۚ وَلَآ أَخَافُ مَا تُشْرِكُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ رَبِّى شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَسِعَ رَبِّى كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًا ۗ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ 80
Translations
And his people argued with him. He said, "Do you argue with me concerning Allāh while He has guided me? And I fear not what you associate with Him [and will not be harmed] unless my Lord should will something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge; then will you not remember?
Transliteration
Wa hajjahu qawmuhu qala atu hajjunni fi-allahi wa qad hadani wa la akhfu ma tushrikuna bihi illa an yasha'a rabbi shay'an wa si'a rabbi kulla shay'in 'ilman a fa la tatadhakarrun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts Prophet Ibrahim's response to his people's argumentation against his rejection of idolatry and affirmation of monotheism. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Ibrahim boldly challenges them: how can they dispute with him about Allah when Allah has already guided him to the truth? His statement 'I fear not what you associate with Him' expresses his absolute trust in Allah's protection, qualified by the phrase 'unless my Lord wills something'—demonstrating that even his safety is ultimately in Allah's hands. The closing phrase 'Your Lord encompasses all things in knowledge' reinforces that nothing escapes Allah's awareness, appealing to reason and inviting reflection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim in Surah Al-An'am, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes monotheism and refutation of polytheism. The context describes Ibrahim's intellectual and spiritual struggle against his idolatrous community, serving as encouragement to the Prophet Muhammad and believers facing similar opposition to Islamic teachings in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The general theme relates to hadiths on standing firm in faith against opposition. For example, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said, 'The strongest among you in faith are those who are kindest to their families,' and various hadiths emphasizing tawakkul (reliance on Allah) such as those in Jami' at-Tirmidhi on complete trust in Allah's decree.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should anchor their faith in Allah's guidance rather than seek validation from those who reject truth, and should cultivate such certainty in their relationship with Allah that fear of human opposition becomes insignificant. This ayah teaches that intellectual conviction combined with spiritual trust creates a fortress against doubt and social pressure.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ ثُمَّ لَا يُنظَرُونَ
And they say, "Why was there not sent down to him an angel?" But if We had sent down an angel, the matter would have been decided; then they would not be reprieved.
قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قُل لِّلَّهِ ۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?" Say, "To Allāh." He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who will lose themselves [that Day] do not believe.
قُلْ إِنِّى نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُل لَّآ أَتَّبِعُ أَهْوَآءَكُمْ ۙ قَدْ ضَلَلْتُ إِذًا وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Say, "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you invoke besides Allāh." Say, "I will not follow your desires, for I would then have gone astray, and I would not be of the [rightly] guided."
أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ
[We revealed it] lest you say, "The Scripture was only sent down to two groups before us, but we were of their study unaware,"