وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَآ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَـٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ 132
Translations
And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], "O my sons, indeed Allāh has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims."
Transliteration
Wa wassā bihā Ibrāhīmu banīhi wa Ya'qūbu yā baniyya inna Allāha astafā lakumu ad-dīna fa lā tamūtunna illā wa antum muslimūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys the precious bequest (wasiyyah) that Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ya'qub left for their children, commanding them to hold steadfast to Islam as their religion. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this was not merely a suggestion but a solemn oath and covenant, with Ibrahim and Ya'qub warning their descendants never to die except in a state of complete submission (islām) to Allah. The phrase 'Allah has chosen this religion for you' reflects the divine favor (istifā') bestowed upon the descendants of these prophets, making their adherence to Islam a matter of gratitude and obedience to the divine choice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of the obligation to believe in all prophets and follow the straight path. It follows the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's building of the Ka'bah and precedes similar instructions from Ya'qub, emphasizing the continuity of prophetic guidance and the responsibility of believers to preserve and transmit their faith to future generations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing the importance of calling one's children to Islam before death relates to this theme of parental obligation in matters of faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the greatest legacy parents can leave their children is a strong commitment to Islamic faith and practice—more valuable than any material inheritance. It calls believers to actively transmit their deen to the next generation and to constantly renew their commitment to die as Muslims, making faith a living reality rather than a mere inherited tradition.