149 Page Notes

06 Surah Al-Anam (continued)

Page 149 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

6:152

6:153

6:154

6:155

6:156

6:157

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 149 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 149 of the Quran covers Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), verses 152 through 157. This section beautifully concludes the "Ten Commandments" of the Quran (which began on the previous page), laying down precise societal, financial, and judicial ethics. It then transitions into a discussion on the legacy of divine scriptures, contrasting the Quran with the Torah sent to Prophet Moses.

1. Verse 152: Protecting the Wealth of Orphans

"And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity..." (Quran 6:152)

Because orphans are uniquely vulnerable, the Quran sets a strict perimeter around their finances. The Sunnah explicitly elevates the mishandling of an orphan's wealth to a destructive, major sin.

• One of the Seven Destructive Sins: The Prophet Muhammad categorized the theft or mismanagement of an orphan’s estate as one of the ultimate spiritual downfalls. He instructed his companions:
  "Avoid the seven destructive sins." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" He listed Shirk (polytheism), magic, killing an innocent soul, consuming riba (usury), consuming the property of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste women. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Wasaya/Wills, Hadith 2766; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 89).

• The Best Treatment Defined: The phrase "except in a way that is best" allows a guardian to use the orphan's funds to invest on their behalf so inflation doesn't erode it. The Sunnah records that the companions actively traded on behalf of orphans under their care to preserve and grow their wealth before they reached maturity.

2. Verse 152: Absolute Honesty in Business and Commerce

"...And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity..." (Quran 6:152)

This verse serves as the ethical bedrock for trade and consumer protection in Islamic jurisprudence. The Sunnah transforms this into specific regulatory laws.

• The Sunnah of Giving a Little Extra: Rather than cutting it close and risking a minor deficit in weights, the Prophet encouraged merchants to slightly tilt the scales in favor of the buyer to guarantee absolute fairness. He instructed a scale-master:
  "Weigh, and give a little extra." (Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Commercial Transactions, Hadith 3336; authenticated by Al-Albani).

• A Warning to Defrauders: The Prophet strictly policed markets to stop deceptive weights or hidden defects. He famously stated, "Whoever cheats us is not one of us" (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 102).

3. Verse 152: Speaking Justly, Even Against Relatives

"...And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill..." (Quran 6:152)

This commandment demands absolute judicial integrity. Tribal societies typically protected family members regardless of their crimes, but the Sunnah shattered this nepotism.

• The Line of Justice Cannot Be Crossed: When a wealthy noblewoman from the Makhzum tribe committed theft, some companions tried to intercede with the Prophet to spare her from legal consequences due to her family status. The Prophet became deeply upset and delivered a famous sermon:
  "The nations before you were destroyed because if a noble person among them committed theft, they would let him go free; but if a weak person among them stole, they would enforce the legal punishment upon him. By Allah! If Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut off." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prophets, Hadith 3475; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1688).

4. Verse 153: The Straight Path vs. The Branching Paths

"And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for they will separate you from His way..." (Quran 6:153)

This verse features a highly famous sensory illustration that the Prophet physically drew out for his companions to ensure they understood the concept of sectarianism and misguidance.

• The Visual Diagram of the Straight Path: The companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated:
  "The Messenger of Allah drew a straight line in the dirt with his hand and said, 'This is the straight path of Allah.' Then he drew several shorter lines branching off to the right and left of it. He said, 'On every one of these branching paths is a devil calling people to it.' He then recited this exact verse: 'And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it...'" (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 4437; Sunan al-Darimi, Hadith 202; authenticated by Ahmad Shakir).

5. Verse 155: Following and Blessing the Quran

"And this [Quran] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Quran 6:155)

The Sunnah confirms that actively reading, understanding, and implementing this "blessed book" changes a person's status both in this world and the next.

• The Intercession of the Quran: The Prophet stated that the Quran will physically defend those who followed it:
  "Recite the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih Muslim, Book of the Prayer of Travelers, Hadith 804).

Canonical Collections Reference Key

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Kitab al-Wasaya (Book of Wills/Orphans) and Kitab Anbiya (Book of Prophets, addressing absolute judicial equality).

• Sahih Muslim: Kitab al-Iman (Destructive sins) and Kitab al-Hudud (Legal punishments and handling nepotism).

• Musnad Ahmad: The foundational repository for the physical drawing and explanation of the "Straight Path" mapping to Verse 153.