وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا ۚ وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 86
Translations
And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot - and all [of them] We preferred over the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa-Isma'ila wa-al-Yasa'a wa-Yunus wa-Lutan, wa-kullan faddalna 'ala al-'alamin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah mentions four righteous prophets—Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot—and affirms that Allah elevated all of them above the worlds ('alamin), meaning above their respective peoples and generations. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that each of these prophets was chosen for specific missions and granted honor, knowledge, and righteousness that distinguished them in their times. The phrase 'above the worlds' emphasizes their rank among creation and their distinction as guided messengers who fulfilled their divine responsibilities.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-An'am's broader context of listing noble prophets whom Allah honored and guided. The surah, revealed in Mecca, emphasizes Allah's guidance through His messengers and the importance of following their path. This particular verse is part of a longer sequence (6:83-86) enumerating prophets from Abraham's line and their descendants, reinforcing the concept of divine guidance throughout generations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are the people of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652). This relates thematically to the elevated status of these prophets. Additionally, the Quran itself (19:56-57) praises Idris, confirming the pattern that prophets receive divine elevation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing that true honor and elevation come from righteousness, obedience to Allah, and fulfilling one's divine purpose rather than from wealth or worldly status. Modern believers are reminded to seek spiritual elevation through devotion and following the teachings of the prophets.
Related Ayahs
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ فَالِقُ ٱلْحَبِّ وَٱلنَّوَىٰ ۖ يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَمُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتِ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
Indeed, Allāh is the cleaver of grain and date seeds. He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living. That is Allāh; so how are you deluded?
ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We gave Moses the Scripture, making complete [Our favor] upon the one who did good [i.e., Moses] and as a detailed explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy that perhaps in the meeting with their Lord they would believe.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
And thus do We detail the verses, and [thus] the way of the criminals will become evident.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ وُقِفُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَقَالُوا۟ يَـٰلَيْتَنَا نُرَدُّ وَلَا نُكَذِّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّنَا وَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
If you could but see when they are made to stand before the Fire and will say, "Oh, would that we could be returned [to life on earth] and not deny the signs of our Lord and be among the believers."