قُلْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ فَٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 95
Translations
Say, "Allāh has told the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of the polytheists."
Transliteration
Qul sadaqallahu fattabi'u millata ibrahima hanifan wa ma kana mina almushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to proclaim that Allah has spoken the truth, and calls the believers to follow the monotheistic religion (millah) of Ibrahim, who was not among those who associate partners with Allah. This ayah emphasizes that the true faith is the pure monotheism established by Ibrahim, and rejects polytheism entirely. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this verse establishes Ibrahim as the exemplar of true faith (hanif) and positions Islam as the continuation of his straight path, free from idolatry.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion about the People of the Book and their disputes with Muslims. The verse addresses arguments from Christians and Jews who claimed exclusive truth, reminding them that Ibrahim preceded their religious communities and was neither Christian nor Jewish, but a true monotheist. This is part of the broader Medinan context where the Prophet engaged with interfaith dialogue.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Muslim (Hanif) and he was not of the polytheists.' (Sahih Bukhari 3445). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized following the Sunnah of the Prophets, particularly Ibrahim's monotheistic path (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2670).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true religion transcends cultural and communal boundaries, rooted in sincere monotheism rather than inherited traditions or sectarian claims. Muslims are reminded to embody the integrity and single-minded devotion to Allah that characterized Ibrahim, making their faith a living practice rather than a mere label.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَا خَلَـٰقَ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allāh and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allāh will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
وَلَئِن قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ مِنكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا ٱسْتَزَلَّهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
Indeed, those of you who turned back on the day the two armies met [at Uḥud] - it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [blame] they had earned. But Allāh has already forgiven them. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing.