شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ ۚ ٱجْتَبَىٰهُ وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 121
Translations
[He was] grateful for His favors. He [i.e., Allāh] chose him and guided him to a straight path.
Transliteration
Shakiran li-an'umihi, ijtaba-hu wa hada-hu ila siratim mustaqim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) as grateful for Allah's blessings, whom Allah chose and guided to the straight path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Ibrahim's gratitude was demonstrated through his obedience and submission to Allah's commands, making him a model of thankfulness. The ayah emphasizes that true gratitude involves both recognition of blessings and righteous action in accordance with divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This verse appears in the Meccan section of Surah An-Nahl and is part of a broader discussion about Ibrahim's righteousness and his status as a leader (Imam) for mankind. The context discusses how Allah granted Ibrahim children and guided him to monotheism, making this ayah part of the narrative praising Ibrahim's character and devotion.
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 theme of guidance. Additionally, the hadith emphasizing shukr (gratitude): 'Whoever is grateful, he is grateful for the benefit of his own self' (Quran 31:12), connects to Ibrahim's gratitude mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
True gratitude to Allah extends beyond verbal acknowledgment—it manifests through obedience, righteous conduct, and following divine guidance. Modern believers should emulate Ibrahim by being thankful through consistent righteous action and by recognizing that Allah's guidance is a supreme blessing that requires our active participation and commitment.
Related Ayahs
وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
And Allāh knows what you conceal and what you declare.
بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ ۗ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ
And those they invoke other than Allāh create nothing, and they [themselves] are created.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً ۖ لَّكُم مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ
It is He who sends down rain from the sky; from it is drink and from it is foliage in which you pasture [animals].