Transliteration:( Inna Ibraaheema kaana ummatan qaanital lillaahi Haneefanw wa lam yakuminal mushrikeen )
120. No doubt, Ibrahim was a Leader [266] obedient to Allah and separate from all others and was [267] not a polytheist [268].
[266] Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is described as the ultimate symbol of a religious leader—an eminent teacher of truth, the prince of monotheists, a foremost investigator of divine realities, and a resolute opponent of polytheism. His leadership was marked by unwavering devotion to Allah and clarity of purpose.
[267] Just as pure gold and butter have value only when free from impurities, a believer’s true worth is found in their pure faith and sincerity. This verse teaches that one should not maintain close fellowship with those who harbor unfaithfulness or shirk faith. It cautions against indiscriminately calling people of all faiths “brothers” without distinction, urging believers to uphold the purity of their own belief.
[268] The verse clarifies that Prophet Ibrahim never engaged in polytheism, even momentarily. When he referred to the sun and moon as “my lord,” it was a rhetorical device meant to challenge and refute the idolaters’ beliefs, not a genuine declaration of worship. The Quran explicitly confirms this as an argument given to Ibrahim against his people (S6:83). Anyone who considers Ibrahim to have been a polytheist even for a second contradicts clear Islamic teachings.
120. Verily, Ibrahim was (himself) an Ummah, obedient to Allah, a Hanif (monotheist), and he was not one of the idolators. 121. (He was) thankful for His favors. He (Allah) chose him and guided him to a straight path. 122. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. 123. Then, We have sent the revelation to you: “Follow the religion of Ibrahim (he was a) Hanif, and he was not one of the idolators.”
(And before, We indeed gave Ibrahim his integrity, and We were indeed most knowledgeable about him)(21:51). Then Allah says:
(and guided him to a straight path.) which means to worship Allah alone, without partners or associate, in the manner that He prescribed and which pleases Him.
(And We gave him good in this world,) meaning, `We granted him all that a believer may require for a good and complete life in this world.’
(and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.) Concerning the Ayah:
(And We gave him good in this world,) Mujahid said: “This means a truthful tongue.”
(Then, We have sent the revelation to you: “Follow the religion of Ibrahim (he was a) Hanif. ..) meaning, `because of his perfection, greatness, and the soundness of his Tawhid and his way, We revealed to you, O Seal of the Messengers and Leader of the Prophets ,’
(Follow the religion of Ibrahim (he was a) Hanif and he was not of the idolators.) This is like the Ayah in Surat Al-An`am:
(Say: “Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim, (he was a) Hanif and he was not of the idolators.”) (6:161). Then Allah rebukes the Jews,
(16:120) Indeed Abraham was a whole community by himself,[119] obedient to Allah, exclusively devoted to Him. And he was never one of those who associated others with Allah in His Divinity.
119. “Abraham was a whole community by himself” for at that time he was the only Muslim in the whole world who was upholding the banner of Islam, while the rest of the world was upholding the banner of unbelief. As that servant of Allah performed the mission which is ordinarily carried out by a whole community, he was not one person but an institution in himself.
[719]- i.e., embodying all the excellent qualities which make one an example to be followed.
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