قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ 56
Translations
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
Transliteration
Qāla bal rabbukum rabb as-samāwāti wal-ardi alladhī fatarahunna wa-anā 'alā dhālikum min ash-shāhidīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) responds to his people's defense of their idols by asserting that their true Lord is the Creator of the heavens and earth who brought them into existence, and he stands as a witness to this truth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ibrahim's response demonstrates the logical argument against polytheism—that only the Creator of all existence deserves worship, not carved objects. This ayah illustrates the methodology of prophetic da'wah (call to Allah) through clear reasoning and testimony to the oneness of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's confrontation with his people regarding their idol worship (verses 51-67 of Surah Al-Anbya). The context shows Ibrahim discovering the futility of idolatry and calling his people toward monotheism, eventually destroying the idols and declaring his stand against shirk (polytheism).
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself (37:95-96) records Ibrahim's statement: 'Do you worship that which you carve, while Allah has created you and that which you make?' Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records hadiths about Ibrahim's opposition to idolatry and his role as a messenger bringing people to the straight path.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the foundation of faith is recognizing Allah as the sole Creator and Lord deserving worship, and that standing firm in this conviction—even when opposed—is a sacred duty. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of intellectual clarity in faith and the courage to witness to truth regardless of societal pressure.
Related Ayahs
أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْخَـٰلِقِينَ
Do you call upon Baʿl and leave the best of creators -
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Invoke those you claim [as deities] besides Allāh." They do not possess an atom's weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth, and they do not have therein any partnership [with Him], nor is there for Him from among them any assistant.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِىٓ أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۚ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
لَّـٰكِنَّا۠ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشْرِكُ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًا
But as for me, He is Allāh, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.