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
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad] - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification.
أَتَىٰٓ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
The command of Allāh is coming, so be not impatient for it. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُۥ بَشَرٌ ۗ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَـٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And We certainly know that they say, "It is only a human being who teaches him [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)]." The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign, and this [recitation, i.e., Qur’ān] is [in] a clear Arabic language.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful.