138 Page Notes

06 Surah Al-Anam (continued)

Page 138 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

6:82

6:83

6:84

6:85

6:86

6:87

6:88

6:89

6:90

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 138 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 138 of the Quran covers Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), verses 82 through 90. This particular page contains a foundational definition of spiritual safety, lists the single largest concentration of named Prophets anywhere in the Quran, and explicitly commands the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—and by extension, the Muslim community—to emulate the guidance of these prior messengers.

The Sunnah and classical Hadith literature provide direct contextual commentary on this section, famously correcting a major misconception about the definition of "wrongdoing."

1. Defining True Security and the Meaning of Zulm (Verse 82)

"They who believe and do not mix their belief with wrongdoing (Zulm)—those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided." (6:82)

When this verse was revealed, it struck absolute terror into the hearts of the Prophet's companions. It is the subject of one of the most famous and highly cited Hadiths in prophetic exegesis (Tafsir).

• The Panic of the Companions:
  The companions understood the word Zulm in its general linguistic sense, meaning any mistake, sin, or injustice committed against oneself or others.

• Hadith Source: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated:
  When this verse was revealed: "Those who believe and do not mix their belief with Zulm (wrongdoing)..." the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ found it deeply distressing and said: "Which of us has not wronged himself?"
  The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: "It is not what you think. It is only what Luqman said to his son: 'O my son, do not associate partners with Allah. Verily, Shirk (polytheism) is a monumental wrongdoing (Zulm 'Adheem).'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3360; Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 124).

• The Lesson: The Prophet ﷺ used the Quran to explain the Quran, clarifying that the "wrongdoing" that strips a person of ultimate eternal security is strictly Shirk (associating partners with Allah), not standard human shortcomings.

2. The Golden Chain of Prophethood (Verses 83–87)

"And that was Our conclusive argument which We gave Abraham against his people... And We gave to him Isaac and Jacob... And Noah, We guided before; and among his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron... And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias... And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot..." (6:83-87)

These verses outline eighteen specific prophets emerging from the ancestral lineage of Abraham, showcasing how prophecy was systematically preserved within his family tree.

• The Excellence of the Prophets: The Sunnah frequently references these verses to establish the absolute brotherhood of the prophets. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlighted that despite practicing in different eras with varying legal codes, their core theological message was completely identical.

• Hadith Source: Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
  "The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3443; Sahih Muslim, Book 43, Hadith 2365).

3. The Command to Emulate Prior Guidance (Verse 90)

"Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example (Uqtadih)..." (6:90)

• The Legal Basis for Inheriting the Sunnah: Verse 90 functions as a direct divine instruction to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to follow the exemplary characters, patience, and monotheistic resolve of the preceding eighteen prophets. It proves that the Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ is structurally built upon the foundational legacy of all previous prophets.

• The Prostration of Surah Sad:
  The companions applied verse 90 technically to understand the actions and rulings of the Prophet ﷺ.

  • Hadith Source: Mujahid asked Abdullah ibn Abbas: "Should I prostrate when reciting Surah Sad (verse 24, concerning Prophet David)?"

  • Ibn Abbas replied: "Yes." He then recited verse 90 from Surah Al-An'am: "Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example." Ibn Abbas added: "David was among those whom your Prophet ﷺ was commanded to follow." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3422).

References

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

• 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 al-Iman (Book of Faith) & Kitab al-Fada'il (Book of Virtues).