148 Page Notes

06 Surah Al-Anam (continued)

Page 148 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

6:147

6:148

6:149

6:150

6:151

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 148 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 148 of the Quran covers Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), verses 147 through 151. This powerful page marks a transition from dismantling pagan dietary laws to detailing the absolute core of Islamic morality. It addresses the pagan excuse of fatalism (claiming God wanted them to be polytheists) and culminates in Verse 151—known as the verse of Al-Awasaya Al-Ashr (The Ten Commandments of the Quran).

1. Verses 148–149: Refuting the Fatalism of the Pagans

"Those who associated with Allah will say, 'If Allah had willed, we would not have associated [anything] and neither would our fathers, nor would we have forbidden anything.' ... Say, 'With Allah is the far-reaching argument...'" (Quran 6:148–149)

The pagans tried to excuse their idolatry by using a distorted version of Qadar (divine destiny), arguing: "If God hated our polytheism, He would have physically stopped us." The Sunnah directly addresses this misunderstanding of free will and accountability.

• The Prophetic Core Rule on Destiny: The Prophet Muhammad fiercely corrected anyone who used divine destiny as an excuse to sin or abandon good deeds. In a famous narration, when the companions asked if their final destination was already written, the Prophet confirmed it was. They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, should we not then rely solely on what is written and give up deeds?" The Prophet strictly commanded:
  "No, keep working! For everyone will find it easy to do those deeds which will lead him to his destined place." He then recited verses confirming that those who give charity and believe will have their way made easy. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prophetic Commentary, Hadith 4949).

2. Verse 151: The Forbidden Monotheistic Core (Shirk)

"Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him...'" (Quran 6:151)

Verse 151 begins a list of absolute prohibitions. The very first item is Shirk (associating partners with God).

• The Greatest Major Sin: The Prophet consistently categorized Shirk exactly as the Quran does here—as the absolute pinnacle of spiritual crimes. He once asked his companions:
  "Shall I not inform you of the greatest of the major sins?" They said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah, and to be undutiful to one's parents." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Good Manners, Hadith 5976).

3. Verse 151: Divine Commandment on Parent Treatment

"...and to parents, good treatment..." (Quran 6:151)

Immediately after establishing the rights of God, this page binds humanity to the excellent treatment (Ihsan) of parents. The Sunnah famously elevates this above even voluntary military struggle.

• Parental Care Over Voluntary Jihad: A man came to the Prophet asking permission to participate in a military expedition. The Prophet asked him:
  "Are your parents alive?" The man said, "Yes." The Prophet told him, "Then exert your highest efforts in their service (Jihad)." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith 3004; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2549).

4. Verse 151: Prohibiting the Killing of Children Out of Poverty

"...and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them..." (Quran 6:151)

This verse targets both physical child-killing and the lingering financial fear of starting a family.

• The Sin of Restricting Resources out of Fear: When Abdullah ibn Mas'ud asked the Prophet about the worst sins in the sight of God, the Prophet listed Shirk first, followed immediately by:
  "That you kill your child out of fear that he will share your food with you." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Commentaries, Hadith 4477; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 86).

5. Verse 151: Approaching Open and Concealed Immoralities

...And do not approach immoralities (Al-Fawahish) - what is apparent of them and what is concealed... (Quran 6:151)

The Quran specifically uses the word approach (la taqrabu), meaning believers must stay completely away from the environments that lead to major sins like adultery (Zina).

• The Sunnah of Modesty and Guarding the Senses: The Prophet explained how a person can "approach" immorality via their senses before committing the actual act:
  "The adultery of the eyes is the look, the adultery of the ears is the listening, the adultery of the tongue is the speech, the adultery of the hand is the touch, and the adultery of the foot is the walking. The heart desires and longs, and the private parts either confirm or deny it." (Sahih Muslim, Book of Divine Decree, Hadith 2658).

6. Verse 151: The Sanctity of Human Life

"...And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by legal right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason." (Quran 6:151)

• The Three Legal Exceptions: The Sunnah rigorously enforces the sanctity of human life, defining the exact parameters of the Quran's clause "except by legal right." The Prophet declared:
  "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Messenger, cannot be shed except in three cases: a life for a life (retaliation for murder), a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse, and the one who reverts from Islam (apostasy) and leaves the community." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Blood Money, Hadith 6878; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1676).

Primary Canonical References

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Kitab al-Adab (Manners towards parents), Kitab al-Tafsir (Prophetic commentary on destiny and Surah 6), and Kitab al-Diyat (Blood money and legal exceptions for life).

• Sahih Muslim: Kitab al-Iman (Book of Faith, unpacking major sins) and Kitab al-Qadar (Book of Divine Decree).

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Volume 3): Ibn Kathir includes a famous statement by the companion Abdullah ibn Abbas, who said: "If you want to know the absolute core rulings of the Torah and Quran, read the verses at the end of Surah Al-An'am (starting at 151)."