وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُۥ ۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصْطَفَيْنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 130
Translations
And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.
Transliteration
Wa man yarghab u an millati Ibrahima illa man safa ha nafsahu wa laqad istafaynahu fi ad-dunya wa innahhu fi al-akhirati lamina as-saliheen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who turn away from the religion and way of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), describing such rejection as foolishness and self-debasement. Allah affirms Ibrahim's elevated status in this world and his righteousness in the Hereafter, emphasizing that his path is the true way that should be followed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this ayah establishes Ibrahim as a model of faith whose monotheistic teachings form the foundation of Islam.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan period section of Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah addresses the People of the Book and believers regarding the straight path. It follows the discussion of the Qiblah change and precedes themes about true belief versus mere cultural adherence. The context emphasizes that authentic faith requires following the Abrahamic tradition of pure monotheism (Tawhid), not merely ancestral practices.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of my people are those of the generation in which I was sent, then those who come after them.' (Sahih Bukhari 3456). Additionally, 'Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true believer in Islam (Hanif).' (Sahih Bukhari 3326), which directly relates to rejecting deviation from Ibrahim's monotheistic path.
Themes
Key Lesson
Turning away from the clear path of monotheism and sincere faith is a sign of spiritual blindness and self-harm, not mere intellectual disagreement. Modern believers should recognize that following the authentic teachings of the prophets, particularly Ibrahim's emphasis on pure monotheism, is the pathway to honor in this life and salvation in the next.
Related Ayahs
وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muḥammad], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allāh is not unaware of what you do.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakāh will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it."
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
O you who have believed, eat from the good [i.e., lawful] things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allāh if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.