وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱتَّقُوهُ ۖ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 16
Translations
And [We sent] Abraham, when he said to his people, "Worship Allāh and fear Him. That is best for you, if you should know.
Transliteration
Wa-Ibrahim idh qala liqawmihi'budullaha wa-ttaquh, dhalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents Prophet Ibrahim's call to his people to worship Allah alone and fear Him, emphasizing that this path is the best for them if they possess true knowledge and understanding. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that Ibrahim's message combined both positive instruction (worship of Allah) and cautionary guidance (God-consciousness), representing the complete framework of religious devotion. The conditional phrase 'if you only knew' suggests that those who truly comprehend the reality of divine guidance would naturally embrace it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-'Ankabut, which is Meccan and addresses the early Muslim community facing persecution. The surah illustrates the patience and steadfastness of earlier prophets, with Ibrahim's example serving as a model of unwavering faith. This particular verse contextualizes Ibrahim's initial preaching to his people before the trials that tested his faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), relating to the importance of understanding and conveying divine guidance as Ibrahim did. Additionally, 'Taqwa (God-consciousness) is here' - pointing to the heart - emphasizes the internal dimension of the piety Ibrahim called toward (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2614).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true knowledge naturally leads to obedience to Allah, and that the role of believers—following Ibrahim's example—is to invite others toward righteousness with wisdom and clarity. It reminds us that understanding the 'why' behind religious practice transforms mere ritual into meaningful spiritual devotion.