ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ 123
Translations
Then We revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allāh.
Transliteration
Thumma awhayna ilayka ani ttabi' millata Ibrahima hanifan wa ma kana mina al-mushrikeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to follow the monotheistic religion and way of life established by Prophet Ibrahim, rejecting polytheism and shirk. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this ayah affirms the continuity of the Abrahamic faith throughout the prophetic tradition, with Ibrahim being a model of pure monotheism (hanif). Al-Tabari notes that the instruction to follow Ibrahim's millah (religion/way) encompasses both belief and practice, establishing Islam as the restoration of the original monotheistic path.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah An-Nahl, which addresses the fundamental principles of tawhid (monotheism) and refutation of idolatry. It comes as part of Allah's directive to the Prophet after mentioning various prophets and their messages, emphasizing that the message of all prophets converges on the absolute oneness of Allah and rejection of partners with Him.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I have been commanded to follow the religion of Ibrahim, the upright (hanif)' - related thematically in various hadith collections. Also relevant: 'The best of religions before Allah is the religion of Ibrahim' - a principle affirmed in multiple Islamic sources.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that true faith requires following the established path of prophetic monotheism, not innovating in religion or adopting practices of polytheism. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of returning to authentic Islamic principles rooted in the teachings of the great prophets, particularly Ibrahim, as the foundation for spiritual guidance.