137 Page Notes

06 Surah Al-Anam (continued)

Page 137 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

6:74

6:75

6:76

6:77

6:78

6:79

6:80

6:81

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 137 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 137 of the Quran transitions into a beautiful, logical narrative covering Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), verses 74 through 81. This entire page focuses on the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim, Alayhi as-Salam) confronting his father, Azar, and his people regarding their idol and celestial worship. It outlines his method of using the stars, moon, and sun to systematically dismantle their pagan theology.

The Sunnah and classical Hadiths provide historical context, clarify Ibrahim’s status, and give deep spiritual weight to his words.

1. Abraham's Confrontation with His Father (Verse 74)

"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father Azar, 'Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people to be in manifest error.'" (6:74)

• The Status of Ibrahim’s Father on Judgment Day: Verse 74 marks the beginning of Ibrahim’s painful estrangement from his father due to idolatry. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the tragic post-resurrection meeting between them, confirming that even a prophet cannot save a parent who died firmly rejecting monotheism.

• Hadith Source: Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
  "Abraham will meet his father, Azar, on the Day of Resurrection, and Azar's face will be dark and covered with dust. Abraham will say to him, 'Did I not tell you not to disobey me?' His father will reply, 'Today I will not disobey you.' Abraham will then say, 'O Lord! You promised me that You would not disgrace me on the Day of Resurrection; and what disgrace can be greater than the disgracing of my father?' Allah will say, 'I have forbidden Paradise for the disbelievers.' Then it will be said, 'O Abraham, look! What is underneath your feet?' He will look and see a dhyb (a dirty, foul hyena) wallowing in mud, which will then be caught by its legs and thrown into the Hellfire." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3350).

2. Cosmic Contemplation and Debating the Pagans (Verses 76–78)

"So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, 'This is my lord.' But when it set, he said, 'I like not those that set.'..." (6:76)

• The Logical Debate Method: Verses 76 through 78 detail Ibrahim observing a star, the moon, and finally the sun, dramatically using their setting (Aful) to prove that changing, temporary physical creation cannot be the eternal, unchanging Creator. Classical commentators like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ibrahim was not genuinely committing polytheism here; rather, he was using a brilliant debating technique (Munazarah) to guide his star-worshipping people to an inescapable logical conclusion.

• The Truthfulness of Ibrahim:
  Because Ibrahim claimed "this is my lord" as a rhetorical device, the Prophet ﷺ contextualized Ibrahim’s absolute truthfulness across his life.

  • Hadith Source: Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Abraham did not tell a lie except on three occasions..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3358). The three instances were purely strategic/rhetorical to protect the message of monotheism (such as saying "I am sick" to avoid an idol festival, saying "the big idol broke the small ones", and calling his wife Sarah his "sister in Islam" to protect her from a tyrant king). The dialogue on page 137 is excluded from being a lie because it was a clear philosophical exercise to expose the flaws of cosmic worship.

3. The Declaration of Hanifiyyah (Verse 79)

"Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth (Hanifan), and I am not of those who associate partners with Allah." (6:79)

• The Sunnah of Incorporating Ibrahim’s Declaration into Daily Prayer: Verse 79 establishes the core definition of being a Hanif—someone who naturally tilts away from falsehood and entirely towards pure monotheism. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved this phrase so intensely that he incorporated it directly into his personal nightly prayers.

• Hadith Source: Ali ibn Abi Talib reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up for mandatory or voluntary night prayers, he would start his opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah) by reciting this exact verse:
  "Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fatara as-samawati wal-arda hanifan wa ma ana minal-mushrikin..." (I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate partners with Allah. Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds...) (Sahih Muslim, Book 6, Hadith 771).

4. Security Belongs Strictly to Monotheists (Verses 80–81)

"And his people argued with him. He said, 'Do you argue with me concerning Allah while He has guided me? And I fear not what you associate with Him...' ...So which of the two parties has more right to security, if you should know?" (6:80-81)

• Fearlessness Against False Omens: Ibrahim’s people tried to terrify him, threatening that their idols and cosmic gods would strike him with curses, illnesses, or bad luck for speaking against them. Ibrahim responded with absolute fearlessness.

• The Prophetic Sunnah of Rejecting Ominous Superstition: This directly mirrors a cornerstone of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ Sunnah—the systematic destruction of Tiyarah (belief in bad omens, astrology, or superstitious fears).

  • Hadith Source: The Prophet ﷺ taught: "There is no contagious disease (propagated safely without Allah’s decree), nor is there any bad omen from birds, nor is there any owl (bringing bad luck)..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 76, Hadith 5707). True inner peace and psychological safety (Amn), as verse 81 demands, belong solely to those who realize that both harm and benefit are controlled exclusively by Allah.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari. Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya (Book of Stories of the Prophets) & Kitab al-Tibb (Book of Medicine).

• Ibn Kathir, I. O. (2000). Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (Vol. 3, Commentary on Surah Al-An'am). Dar Taybah.

• Muslim, I. H. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim. Kitab Salat al-Musafirin (Book of the Prayer of Travelers).