قُلْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ فَٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 95
Translations
Say, "Allāh has told the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of the polytheists."
Transliteration
Qul sadaqallahu fattabi'u millata ibrahima hanifan wa ma kana mina almushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to proclaim that Allah has spoken the truth, and calls the believers to follow the monotheistic religion (millah) of Ibrahim, who was not among those who associate partners with Allah. This ayah emphasizes that the true faith is the pure monotheism established by Ibrahim, and rejects polytheism entirely. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this verse establishes Ibrahim as the exemplar of true faith (hanif) and positions Islam as the continuation of his straight path, free from idolatry.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion about the People of the Book and their disputes with Muslims. The verse addresses arguments from Christians and Jews who claimed exclusive truth, reminding them that Ibrahim preceded their religious communities and was neither Christian nor Jewish, but a true monotheist. This is part of the broader Medinan context where the Prophet engaged with interfaith dialogue.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Muslim (Hanif) and he was not of the polytheists.' (Sahih Bukhari 3445). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized following the Sunnah of the Prophets, particularly Ibrahim's monotheistic path (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2670).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true religion transcends cultural and communal boundaries, rooted in sincere monotheism rather than inherited traditions or sectarian claims. Muslims are reminded to embody the integrity and single-minded devotion to Allah that characterized Ibrahim, making their faith a living practice rather than a mere label.
Related Ayahs
وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allāh. And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allāh. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Except for those who repent after that and correct themselves. For indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.