وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا ۚ وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 86
Translations
And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot - and all [of them] We preferred over the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa-Isma'ila wa-al-Yasa'a wa-Yunus wa-Lutan, wa-kullan faddalna 'ala al-'alamin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah mentions four righteous prophets—Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot—and affirms that Allah elevated all of them above the worlds ('alamin), meaning above their respective peoples and generations. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that each of these prophets was chosen for specific missions and granted honor, knowledge, and righteousness that distinguished them in their times. The phrase 'above the worlds' emphasizes their rank among creation and their distinction as guided messengers who fulfilled their divine responsibilities.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-An'am's broader context of listing noble prophets whom Allah honored and guided. The surah, revealed in Mecca, emphasizes Allah's guidance through His messengers and the importance of following their path. This particular verse is part of a longer sequence (6:83-86) enumerating prophets from Abraham's line and their descendants, reinforcing the concept of divine guidance throughout generations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are the people of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652). This relates thematically to the elevated status of these prophets. Additionally, the Quran itself (19:56-57) praises Idris, confirming the pattern that prophets receive divine elevation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing that true honor and elevation come from righteousness, obedience to Allah, and fulfilling one's divine purpose rather than from wealth or worldly status. Modern believers are reminded to seek spiritual elevation through devotion and following the teachings of the prophets.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ تَقُولُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَكُنَّآ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْدِفُونَ
Or lest you say, "If only the Scripture had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they." So there has [now] come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy. Then who is more unjust than one who denies the verses of Allāh and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our verses with the worst of punishment for their having turned away.
وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۙ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ وَلِىٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
And warn by it [i.e., the Qur’ān] those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord - for them besides Him will be no protector and no intercessor - that they might become righteous.
وَذَرُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ ٱلْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَقْتَرِفُونَ
And leave [i.e., desist from] what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُوقِنِينَ
And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith].