لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ 163
Translations
No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."
Transliteration
La shareeka lahu wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana awwalu al-muslimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes Prophet Muhammad's declaration of pure monotheism, affirming that Allah has no partner in His divinity, lordship, or worship. The Prophet emphasizes his personal submission to this divine command and his position as the first among the Muslims (ummah) to fully embrace and embody Islamic monotheism. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement reflects the Prophet's complete certainty in tawhid and his role as the exemplar of Islamic faith for his followers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am (6:162-163), revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period when polytheism was deeply entrenched in Arabian society. The context is the Prophet's public proclamation of monotheism and his ritual devotion, serving as a direct response to the idolatry surrounding him and establishing the theological foundation of Islam.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (1218) where the Prophet said, 'I am the first of the Muslims' (Ana awwalu man aslama) reinforces this concept of his precedence in submission. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (4777) regarding the Prophet's statement about tawhid emphasizes the centrality of monotheism in Islamic practice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that true faith requires unwavering commitment to monotheism and following the Prophet's example as the model believer. It reminds us that submission to Allah's oneness is not merely intellectual assent but a lived reality that shapes all aspects of worship and conduct.
Related Ayahs
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـٰنَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allāh, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.
أَمَّن يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allāh? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"
ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?