صِبْغَةَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ عَـٰبِدُونَ 138
Translations
[And say, "Ours is] the religion of Allāh. And who is better than Allāh in [ordaining] religion? And we are worshippers of Him."
Transliteration
Sibghata Allahi wa man ahsanu mina Allahi sibghatan wa nahnu lahu 'abidun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah uses the metaphor of 'sibghah' (dye/coloring) to describe the natural disposition (fitrah) and religion of Allah, emphasizing that Islam is the most perfect and beautiful way of life. The verse asserts that there is no better way to live than according to Allah's guidance, and the believers dedicate themselves entirely to worshipping Him. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that 'sibghah' refers to the imprint of faith that colors the soul, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic submission.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion about the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the proper direction of prayer (qiblah). It addresses the early Muslim community's struggles with various religious groups and affirms the superiority and self-sufficiency of Islamic monotheism. The broader surah emphasizes the distinctiveness of the Muslim ummah and their covenant with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Every child is born upon the fitrah (natural disposition toward monotheism), but his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Zoroastrian' (Sahih Bukhari 1319). This hadith directly relates to the concept of sibghah as the natural coloring of the soul toward Allah's religion.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Islam is not merely a set of rules but a comprehensive way of life that naturally aligns with human nature when embraced sincerely. It encourages modern Muslims to recognize the beauty and completeness of their faith while maintaining unwavering devotion to Allah, despite external pressures or alternative worldviews.
Related Ayahs
وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ كِتَـٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And when a messenger from Allāh came to them confirming that which was with them, a party of those who had been given the Scripture threw the Scripture of Allāh [i.e., the Torah] behind their backs as if they did not know [what it contained].
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,
لَّا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن طَلَّقْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ مَا لَمْ تَمَسُّوهُنَّ أَوْ تَفْرِضُوا۟ لَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ۚ وَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ عَلَى ٱلْمُوسِعِ قَدَرُهُۥ وَعَلَى ٱلْمُقْتِرِ قَدَرُهُۥ مَتَـٰعًۢا بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
There is no blame upon you if you divorce women you have not touched nor specified for them an obligation. But give them [a gift of] compensation - the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability - a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good.
صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Deaf, dumb and blind - so they will not return [to the right path].