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
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
ءَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُونَ
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
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.
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
[And] when he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?