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
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And already had Allāh given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were weak [i.e., few in number]. Then fear Allāh; perhaps you will be grateful.
وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
A faction of the People of the Scripture wish they could mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they perceive [it] not.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers.
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. And you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed.