قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ 56
Translations
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
Transliteration
Qāla bal rabbukum rabb as-samāwāti wal-ardi alladhī fatarahunna wa-anā 'alā dhālikum min ash-shāhidīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) responds to his people's defense of their idols by asserting that their true Lord is the Creator of the heavens and earth who brought them into existence, and he stands as a witness to this truth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ibrahim's response demonstrates the logical argument against polytheism—that only the Creator of all existence deserves worship, not carved objects. This ayah illustrates the methodology of prophetic da'wah (call to Allah) through clear reasoning and testimony to the oneness of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's confrontation with his people regarding their idol worship (verses 51-67 of Surah Al-Anbya). The context shows Ibrahim discovering the futility of idolatry and calling his people toward monotheism, eventually destroying the idols and declaring his stand against shirk (polytheism).
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself (37:95-96) records Ibrahim's statement: 'Do you worship that which you carve, while Allah has created you and that which you make?' Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records hadiths about Ibrahim's opposition to idolatry and his role as a messenger bringing people to the straight path.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the foundation of faith is recognizing Allah as the sole Creator and Lord deserving worship, and that standing firm in this conviction—even when opposed—is a sacred duty. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of intellectual clarity in faith and the courage to witness to truth regardless of societal pressure.
Related Ayahs
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allāh? Little do you remember.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allāh," and then remained on a right course - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَآءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ
Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you light? Then will you not hear?"
۞ 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?