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.
Related Ayahs
لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ
Of it, [from those] besides Allāh, there is no remover.
إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلُ نَدْعُوهُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْبَرُّ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Indeed, we used to supplicate Him before. Indeed, it is He who is the Beneficent, the Merciful."
فَإِلَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ بِعِلْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
And if they do not respond to you - then know that it [i.e., the Qur’ān] was revealed with the knowledge of Allāh and that there is no deity except Him. Then, would you [not] be Muslims?
يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ أَنْ أَنذِرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱتَّقُونِ
He sends down the angels, with the inspiration [i.e., revelation] of His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, [telling them], "Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me."