Why stories of the past are retold in Al-Qurʾān?

There always has been a rejection of AL Qur'an by polytheists and non Muslims on the ground that stories in Al Qur'an has borrowed stories from the people of the past or as mentioned in the earlier Divine scriptures. Thus they label it as a replication of past events or Al Qur'an at best being a book of history. While raising such objections against Qur'an, they fail to understand the Divine philosophy of retelling the past to those are present and the one's who will be in the future. 

It is said in Qur'an (12:111):

"Certainly in their stories is a lesson for people of understanding. This [Qur'an] is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what was before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."

It is for this reason, Al Qur’an often retells stories of previous prophets and communities — sometimes with repetition, variation, or emphasis on different details. This isn't redundancy. Rather, it serves a powerful and intentional purpose, especially for people of all times, including today.

Let us examine the WHY of retelling of stories of the people of the past:

Why Are Stories Retold in the Qur’an?

• To introduce to the Polytheists of Makkah the Evolution of the Divine Religions
• The pagans of Makkah have had no interaction with a messenger before. Thus presenting them a Divine Scripture could not be done in a vacuum.
• Beside there were some Christians and Jews in Makkah and Medina who raised the similar observations about stories from the past for some of these were already mentioned in Torah and Injeel (present day Bible).
• Thus these stories were retold to reconnect Qur'an to the past and establish a continuity of the Divine message that was already there in the form of Torah and Injeel or in the history books.
• To Teach Through Repetition and Reflection
• Human beings learn best through repetition, especially when lessons are deep or emotionally charged.
• “And We certainly have diversified in this Qur'an for the people from every example…” (Qur’an 17:89)
• Each retelling highlights a different angle — spiritual, moral, historical, or emotional.
• To Show Consistency of Divine Message
• The core message of all prophets — monotheism, justice, accountability — is consistent.
• “Indeed, this is in the former scriptures — the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.” (Qur’an 87:18–19)
• By retelling stories of Nuh (Noah), Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), Yusuf (Joseph) and others, the Qur’an re-emphasizes:
• Oneness of God
• Oneness of Divine message
• One moral system across history
• To Support and Console the Prophet ﷺ
• Stories were revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during times of trial — especially rejection and persecution in Makkah.
• “And all We relate to you of the news of the messengers is so that We may make your heart firm thereby…” (Qur’an 11:120)
• The stories gave him strength by showing:
• He was not alone
• All prophets were rejected by their people before being vindicated
• To Provide Timeless Lessons for Humanity: Every story contains universal themes that are eternally relevant:
• Adam & Iblis: Origins of human free will, arrogance vs obedience, repentance
• Nuh (Noah): Patience with rejection, persistence in Da‘wah, trusting Allah
• Ibrahim (Abraham): Tawheed (pure monotheism), sacrifice, submission
• Musa (Moses): Speaking truth to power, liberation from oppression, leadership under pressure
• Yusuf (Joseph): Patience, resisting temptation, family dynamics, divine planning
• Lut (Lot): Warnings against social and moral corruption and homosexuality
• Musa vs Pharaoh: Tyranny vs humility, false power vs divine truth
• To Warn, Encourage, and Educate Us
• These stories are not history for entertainment, but "ʿibrah" (lessons) as Allah says:
• "Indeed, in their stories there is a lesson (ʿibrah) for people of understanding..."
• (Qur’an 12:111)
• Stories show the consequences of arrogance, injustice, corruption — and the rewards of faith, patience, and obedience.

Do These Stories Matter Today

The stories of the bygone people, their rise and fall are retold time and again so that people of the future take heed from these and do not commit the same follies as were done by the people of the past and became the reason of their destruction and extinction. However, man, always being stubborn and arrogant, never learns. Herein under is the correlation between our present with the stories so retold:

• Injustice, Racism, Tyranny: Story of Pharaoh and Musa – resist oppression with truth and faith
• Youth dealing with temptation: Story of Yusuf – resisting sin and choosing dignity over desire
• Moral corruption in society: People of Lut – warning against normalized immorality
• Loneliness, abandonment, or trauma: Stories of Yusuf, Maryam – trusting Allah in isolation
• Interfaith dialogue: Stories of Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa – common ground among Abrahamic faiths
• Social collapse due to arrogance and denial: Stories of ‘Ād, Thamud, and past nations – rise and fall of civilizations

Conclusion:

The Qur’an retells stories for deeper reflection “So relate the stories that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 7:176) to:

• Teach moral and spiritual truths
• Inspire reflection and action
• Connect the past to the present
• Show the universality of the human struggle
• Demonstrate that divine justice is always at work

These not just stories. They're mirrors. They reflect us — our choices, our societies, our futures.

Let us learn from the past, the arrogance of people of the earlier times who vehemently rejected the Divine Da'wah, tortured the prophets, messengers and the righteous to prevail their way of life, culture and traditions continuing down from their ancestors. Today, we stand at the crossroads as always for people of earlier Divine Scriptures are not ready to accept Al Qur'an as a Divine Scripture and Islam as a religion of God. 

Not only this, the WHY of the ultimate fate of the people who were Divinely cursed has not been ever correlated with the ills of the societies we are facing today. People are being tortured, killed and subdued by those who want to dominate and rule with no rival in sight. Today, Injustice, Racism, Tyranny is at peak and it seems we have never opened our history books and Divine Scriptures to draw lessons for us by knowing how earlier people were subjected to Divine wrath and perished, leaving behind their once mighty palaces and structure in ruins forever.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from authentic references and also ChatGPT.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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A good Muslim should NEVER boast of his wealth nor expose his secrets

The main theme of Islam is peace: Peace within and peace without. That means, one should be ever contended of what he has been blessed with and should never boast of what he has or what secrets are hidden in his heart. If one boasts of his wealth, both material and spiritual, it may hurt others who are not so gifted. Likewise exposing one's secrets or affairs of one's household mahis position weaken which may be taken advantage of those on the lookout of one's weak points so as to exploit the one who is too weak to keep his secrets to himself. 

For these very reasons, Islam forbids boasting and concealing one's secrets for deeply spiritual, psychological, and social reasons. These teachings are rooted in humility, sincerity (ikhlas), protection from envy and harm, and fostering a healthy, modest society. Boasting—especially about wealth, knowledge, achievements, or good deeds—stems from ego (kibr) and pride / traits is  strongly condemned in Islam.

"Do not exult (boast), for Allah does not love the boastful." — Surah Al-Qasas 28:76

AS for concealing one's secrets, the Prophet has advised Muslims to do so and said: “Seek help in the accomplishment of your needs by being discreet, for everyone who is blessed is envied.”

With this premise, let us share a few verses from Al Qur'an and Hadiths which forbid a good Muslim from boasting and advises not to to expose his secrets publicly. In time, we will expand meaning of each of these Qur'anic verses and Hadiths for better understanding Islam and living a life of a good Muslim:

• Do not exhibit your charities and zakat (Surah 2. Al Baqarah: 271)
• Do not relate your vision or intentions to others (Surah 12. Yusuf:5)
• Do not divulge to others some secret kept with you as a trust (Sahi al-Bukhārī: 33)
• Conceal your sins (Hadith quoted in Sahi al-Bukhārī as Hadith number 6069)
• Do not expose sins of others (Sahi  Muslim Hadith 2590)
• Do not expose you marital life secrets (Sahi Muslim 1437)

Islam’s approach is not to suppress joy or success—but to channel it with humility, privacy, and balance. You're encouraged to thank Allah, not show off to people; and to share good when it benefits others, not when it fuels ego.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

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For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Who were the People of the Cave as mentioned in Al-Qurʾān

One must develop taste and love for reading accounts of the people of the bygone days, for in such accounts one finds many useful guidelines and lessons to shape one's own future, perhaps the destiny as well. And that is why, instead of only mentioning direct Divine instructions, Allah narrates anecdotes of the lost civilizations and people of the past to tell the later people how civilizations which once thrived and dominated crumbled under Divine wrath, leaving behind their remnants as reminder of  wrath of Allah for disobedience. We find mention of the people of Lot who were destroyed by shower of molten rocks, the downfall of the Pharaohs and rise of people once cornered and humiliated.

Today, we share an anecdote of the Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave), mentioned in the 18th Surah / Chapter of Al-Qurʾān (verses 9–26)) called Surah Al Kahf (The Surah in which mention of the People of the Cave is made). Kahf in Arabic means cave. Their story is rich with meaning and offers several spiritual and moral lessons.

Let us find out what is so peculiar about these people exclusively mentioned by Allah and why.

Who Were the People of the Cave?

A group of young believing men, later known as the People of the Cave, lived in a society where paganism/idolatry was widespread. They rejected the polytheistic practices of their people and chose to worship Allah alone. Fearing persecution, they fled their city and took refuge in a cave (kahf). Allah caused them to fall into a deep sleep that lasted for 300 years (plus 9 lunar years). When they awoke, they had no idea so much time had passed.

The secret of their sleep was revealed when one of them went to Ephesus to buy food for them and offered a coin of the period of Emperor Decius. As it was a changed world, he naturally attracted attention for he was wearing a costume of 300 year old fashion and spoke a language different from that in vogue. This was because during those two centuries the language, culture, dress etc. had undergone a marked change. So the shopkeeper looked askance at him and, according to a Syriac tradition, he suspected that he had dug up some ancient treasure. Accordingly, he gathered some people of his neighborhood and they took him before the ruler. On questioning, it was discovered that he was one of those followers of Christ, who had fled the city 300 years ago to save their faith. As most of the population had embraced Christianity, the news immediately spread throughout the city and a big crowd of the people along with the Christian Roman Ruler, arrived at the cave. It was then that the sleepers of the cave came to know that they had slept for about three hundred years. So after making salutations to their Christian brothers they lay down and their souls left their bodies. 

Their miraculous story became known, and people saw it as a sign of God’s power.

The story also appears in the Christian history as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. The Christian legend speaks about a group of youths who hid inside a cave around AD 250 to escape Roman persecutions of Christians and emerged many years later.

There is a cave near Amman, Jordan, also known as the Cave of Seven Sleepers, which has eight smaller sealed tombs present inside and a ventilation duct coming out of the cave. (Photo)

Lessons from the Story of the People of the Cave

• Faith Over Conformity
• The youths chose to obey Allah rather than follow social norms or political pressure.
• Lesson: Stand firm in your beliefs even when society is against you.
• Courage in the Face of Persecution
• They bravely left everything behind for their faith.
• Lesson: Sometimes, protecting your faith requires sacrifice and courage.
• Take the initiative and Allah will help you
• Allah responded to the young men when they beseeched Him for help, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” (Al-Kahf 18:10) It is important to remember that the young men took the initiative of leaving the comfort of their homes, and all their possessions behind, along with supplicating to Allah. 
• This showed their commitment to the cause, and established them as true believers in His sight. Many times, we expect Allah’s help while being reluctant to make even a minor sacrifice on our part. 
• We must be action-oriented in difficult times, and willing to take the right initiative, in order to be helped by Allah.
• Allah's Power Over Time and Life
• Sleeping for centuries and being awakened unharmed shows Allah's control over life, death, and time.
• Lesson: Time means nothing to Allah; He transcends natural laws.
• Faith Can Be Preserved and Revived
• When they awoke, the world had changed. What they had hoped for—a return to monotheism—had come to pass.
• Lesson: Even when truth seems buried or rejected, it can resurface with Allah’s will.
• Never Compromise on Faith
• You may encounter a situation where you are pressured to renounce some aspect of your faith. Never settle for such a compromise, and be willing to take substantive measures to defend your freedom to live according to Allah’s word. Just as the young men rejected their society and hid in a cave, we should be bold enough to stand against society, and migrate to a different place if we have to, for the sake of our faith. 
• Allah informs us that those prevented from worshipping Allah alone will say to the angels after their death, “We were weak in the land.” (Al-Nisa 4:97) However, this excuse will not be accepted, and the angels will say, “Was not the earth of Allah spacious, so that you should have migrated therein?” (Al-Nisa 4:97)
• Don't Speculate Without Knowledge
• In verses 22–23, the Qur’an warns not to debate their number or details without knowledge.
• Base your beliefs on evidence: Religious beliefs and practices should be based on clear evidence, rather than a blind imitation of ancestral traditions. The young men lamented the fact that their people worshiped multiple deities without any authority from Allah: “These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them clear evidence?” (Al-Kahf 18:15) We should also scrutinize our contemporary beliefs and practices pertaining to religion to see whether they have a basis in the Quran or the example of the Prophet, or are simply being passed down generations without a clear authority.
• Lesson: Avoid idle speculation about religious matters and focus on what benefits the soul.
• Seek Good Company
• These youth supported one another in faith.
• Lesson: Righteous companionship strengthens belief and protects you in times of trial.
• Seek the best of Allah’s blessings
• Whenever initiating a new project, journey or action, always seek the blessings of Allah. This can be from simple Bismillah to many supplications mentioned in Qur'an and Hadith to seek Allah's prior blessings. 
• When the young men finally woke up from their sleep, they said to one another, “Send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city, and let him find out which is the best food, and bring some of that to you.” (Al-Kahf 18:19) It is encouraged to consume the best quality and purest food, as Allah says, “So eat of the lawful and good food Allah has provided for you.” (Al-Nahl 16:114) 
• Similarly, there is nothing wrong with seeking the best among His other blessings, such as clothing and housing – provided one does not spend wastefully. In fact, Allah encourages us to live according to our means, without being extravagant, as Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed, Allah loves to see the results of His favors upon His slaves.”
• Allah leaves positive perceptions about the righteous
• Speaking for a just cause can invite people’s spite and accusations. However, in the long term, those who have dared to differ by upholding the truth are usually held in high esteem by the people. The young men in the cave, who had earlier faced threats of stoning to death, were later commemorated as great heroes, as is evident from their people’s desire to pay them a tribute: “[Some] said, ‘Construct a building over them; their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who prevailed said, ‘We shall build a place of worship over them.’” (Al-Kahf 18:21)
• Similarly, many of the prophets, who were ridiculed for communicating the word of Allah, were eventually held in great honor. 
• Lesson: It is wise to tolerate any spite hurled at you for supporting what is right, and have faith that Allah will not only reward you for it but will also eventually leave positive perceptions about you among the people.

Supporting Verses:

• Qur’an 18:13: “Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.”
• Qur’an 18:26: “Say, Allah knows best how long they remained. His is the unseen of the heavens and the earth...”

Summary

The story of the People of the Cave teaches timeless values:

• Sincerity in faith
• Trust in divine protection
• Patience and perseverance
• Avoiding speculation
• Choosing righteous friends

The  above explanation is just in skeleton form to introduce to the readers as to who Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave) were. Those desirous to know the detailed explanation of verse 9-26 of Surah Al Kaf / Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave) may like to visit our earlier published exegesis of the Surah from link given below:

• Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part I (Story of Sleepers of Cave)

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

For more selected verses from Surah Al Kahf, please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 18. Al Kahf

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Divine warning about divison of Divine Religions into sects

The main theme of all Divine religions is the same: Worship of one true Lord, we Muslims call Allah. Yet history refelcts followers of every religion dividing into sects and groups by those saints and scholars who want to project their individualism or become pied pipers so that the people upon whom such saints and scholars wield power and influence their hearts should get separated from the main stream and become a private sect and slave to them, so to say. This has happened to all Divine religions, and unfortunately to Islam too.

Today we share the 159th verse of Surah Al-An'am which is highly relevant to the divisions and sectarianism seen among Muslims today.

Surah Al-An'am (6:159) – The Verse

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ فَرَّقُوۡا دِيۡنَهُمۡ وَكَانُوۡا شِيَـعًا لَّسۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ فِىۡ شَىۡءٍ​ ؕ اِنَّمَاۤ اَمۡرُهُمۡ اِلَى اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ يُنَـبِّـئُـهُمۡ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَفۡعَلُوۡنَ‏ 

(6:159) Surely you have nothing to do with those who have made divisions in their religion and become factions. Their matter is with Allah and He will indeed tell them (in time) what they have been doing.

Context and Meaning

Let us see who is being addressed? 

• Allah is instructing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ not to align with those who split their religion into factions and divided themselves. 
• While this originally referred to Jews and Christians who had splintered into sects, many scholars interpret it as a universal warning, also applying to Muslims if they repeat the same mistakes.

Implication of the Verse

The implication is that the straight path of God is the religion of Abraham (sws) which the Qur’ān has once again made evident to them. Its followers were a single community. If the Jews and Christians and the Idolaters of Arabia have created divisions in it and become its sects, the Prophet (sws) should leave them alone and strongly adhere to it himself. He has fulfilled his obligation; if they do not accept, then he should merely ignore them.

In fact, this is the parting point between God’s Messenger and his faith on the one hand and all other doctrines and creeds on the other. In the latter group we may include the idolaters who were divided into groups, sects, tribes and clans on the basis of the myths, traditions and disputes of jahiliyyah, the Christians and Jews with their unending disputes and rivalries which break them into quarrelling blocs and states, as well as other creeds, ideologies, theories, and regimes that may surface at any time until the Day of Judgement.

Key Messages of the Verse

1. Condemnation of Sectarianism

• The verse clearly condemns division in religion.
• "Farraqū dīnahum - فَرَّقُوۡا دِيۡنَهُمۡ" means: those who split up their religion—by inventing new beliefs, disputing core principles, or dividing the community.
• This includes forming exclusive sects, naming groups, and declaring others as outsiders.

2. The Prophet’s Disassociation:  

• Allah tells Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “You have no part in them.”
• This is serious — it means those who create sects are not following the true prophetic path.

3. Final Judgment Belongs to Allah

• That is Allah alone will judge between them.
• Although Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been warned that he should have nothing to do with those who divide into sects, he is also cautioned not to label or condemn them, for:
• The verse discourages labeling people as irredeemable or condemned—Allah alone knows intentions and final outcomes.
• This is very important part of the verse, for many Muslims today label other sects of Muslims as infidels or Kafir for deviating from the main stream. This caution applies to such a case and they have been warned to leave the judgement to Allah to take.

Classical and Modern Tafsir Views

Scholar                                                                   

Ibn Kathir

The verse warns against splitting into sects like the Jews and Christians did before Islam.

Al-Qurtubi

Sectarianism is one of the major causes of the downfall of past nations and must be aoided in the Muslim Ummah.

Sayyid Qutb

Islam is meant to unite humanity. Dividing it into rival groups undermines its very foundation.                                   

Application to Today’s Muslim World - Applies Directly to Modern Muslim Divisions:

• Modern Reality: Qur'anic Principle Violated
• Sunni vs. Shia hostility: Unity of the Ummah
• Sects declaring each other deviant or kafir: Judgment belongs to Allah (6:159)
• Political factions using Islam for power: Corruption of faith-based unity
• Violence based on sect:  Direct opposition to Islamic ethics

Surah Al-Imran (3:103) reinforces this verse: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…”

Practical Lessons for Muslims Today

• Don’t make labels your religion: Being Sunni, Shia, Salafi, Sufi, etc., should never outweigh being Muslim.
• Avoid takfir (declaring others non-Muslim): It is a dangerous spiritual crime.
• Focus on shared core beliefs: Like belief in Allah, the Prophet, the Qur’an, the pillars of faith and practice.
• Leave judgment to Allah: Surah 6:159 explicitly says He will judge disputes.

Final Thought

Surah Al-An'am 6:159 is a timeless warning. It reminds us that division in the name of religion is a betrayal of religion itself. The verse urges Muslims to:

• Preserve unity,
• Avoid factionalism, and
• Trust Allah with ultimate judgment.
• Unity is not optional in Islam — it is a divine command.

As the last point mentions, unity in Islam is not an option for the Muslims to exercise at will and personal accord. It is a Divine Command, which should and must never be violated. A lot of harm has already been done to Islam by dividing into various sects and schools of thoughts that have created dangerous fricitons among them all. The division into sects and creeds aside, each one freely and openly label the other sect of school of though infidel, kafir or mushrik. This is a dangerous trend that has crept into the Muslims and each year lot of lives are lost due to the hatred which is infused by the leaders ofeach sect / creed among their followers for others. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah 6. Al-An'am (The Cattle) for more selected verses from this surah. Dor selected verses from other surah, refer to our Reference Page: Selected verses from Selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Does Islam propagate religious intolerance?

Islam is a religion of peace as is evident from its name Islam (الإسلام) that comes from the Arabic root word س-ل-م (S-L-M), which conveys meanings of Peace (سلام – salām). Even Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم emphasise the enforcement of peace. The core meaning of Islam is thus in 3 words: "Submission, Peace, and Obedience."

Based on this lietral meaning, the spread of Islam has always been based on peaceful voluntary indoctrination of non Muslims. Which means that Islam has never been forced or thurst upon non Muslims, rather it has been the peaceful message of Islam that has always attracted non Muslims to Islam even till date. Some critics of Islam claim that Islam spread by sweord, but if this assumption was correct, the whole of Spain and India would have converted to Islam despite Muslims rule of Spain and India for more than five to six centuries.

The peaceful theme of Islam has been possible for Allah has ordained the Muslims to be tolerant towards other religions and never thurst upon the Islamic ideology on them. Yet, many non Muslims label Islam as intolerant to their religion or faith, which stems from the fact that they have never tried to understand Islam and have generally rleied on the false impage of Islam being propagated in the social and print media since long.

To be true and rational, if one tries to really understand Islam, one would find that slam does not propagate intolerance. On the contrary, Islam promotes justice, compassion, and peaceful coexistence—even with those who hold different beliefs. However, it also sets boundaries for moral and social order, which is sometimes misunderstood as intolerance.

Let’s explore this issue clearly, with direct refeences from the Qur’an and Hadith:

1. Islam Promotes Freedom of Belief

• It has been Divinely said in Qur’an (Surah 2 Al Baqarah verse 256) "There is no compulsion in religion. The truth has become clear from falsehood..."
• This verse explicitly forbids forcing anyone to accept Islam. True faith, according to Islam, must come from conviction—not coercion.
• This verse was practically demonstrated in Spain and India where Muslims were the rulers over large non Muslim populace, yet at the end of their rule over these countries, the ratio of Muslim and non Muslim almost remained undisturbed and during the Muslim rule, none of the places of worship of non Muslims were burnt or closed to them. On the contrary, there explixxt examples of genocide of Muslims in India, Africa and even Spain by non Muslim majority.
• This verse in fact vindicate the misconception of Islam being intoelrant to others as has been otherwise so projected.

2. Peaceful Coexistence with Non-Muslims

• As for tolerance and accept others' faith, it is said in Qur’an (60:8); "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes — from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly."
• This verse commands Muslims to treat non-hostile non-Muslims with kindness and justice, proving that hostility is not based on faith, but on actions like aggression or oppression.
• However, if non Muslims turn hostile to a Muslim community, Muslims have been direccted to safegaurd them and their ideology.

3. Prophetic Example of Tolerance: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed great tolerance toward people of other faiths.

• Example: Treaty with Christians of Najran: The Prophet ﷺ signed a treaty with the Christian delegation from Najran, guaranteeing their religious freedom, protection of their churches, and rights to self-governance.
• Hadith – Sahih al-Bukhari: The Prophet ﷺ stood up in respect for a Jewish funeral passing by. When asked why, he replied: "Was he not a human soul?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1312, Muslim 961)
• This shows respect for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion.
• It may be noted that despite many incidents of Qur'an burning, none of the Muslims burnt Bible or any other religious scriptures in retaliation. Had Muslims too had resorted to burning others' religious books, the world would have never been in peace.

4. Jihad Misconceptions

The word Jihad is more often than not is used in literature, media and even films to show the "hostile and intolerant" nature of Islam and Muslims. Whereas Islam permits fighting only in self-defense or against oppression, not for forcing religion.

• It is said in Qur’an (22:39); "Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged..."
• This verse was revealed when Muslims were persecuted and driven out of Makkah, showing that jihad was a response to injustice, not religious intolerance.
• It, therefore, does not mean that Muslims are always equipped with a sword to cut throats of non Muslims on their own. In fact Jihad is declared by the head of the sate and individuals are debarred from waging any holy war with non Musils. 
• The acts of ISIS is entirely tangent to teachings of Islam as their act of killing non Muslims do not fall under the umbrella of Jihad.

5. Condemnation of Extremism

• Islamic teachings actively warn against religious fanaticism and excessive harshness, which are often the roots of intolerance.
• Hadith – Sunan Abi Dawood: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Beware of extremism in religion, for those before you were destroyed due to extremism." Abu Dawood 4606)

6. Diversity is Part of God's Plan

• Qur’an (49:13): "O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another..."
• This verse shows that diversity in humanity is by design, and should lead to understanding, not hatred.

Let all non Muslims read Qur'an and Islamic history to carroyout a personal study of character of Muslims, their tolerance towards other religions even when they had the opportunity to commit forceful conversions and killing of non Muslims.

Some inncidents of so called terrorism by Muslims should not project the overall character of Muslims. And by the way, more non Muslims have committed acts of terrorism by not killing Muslims but also their own creed. Many such incidents can be studied before labelling Islam as an intolerant religion.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are deeply personal and are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Should we seek "shifā’- شفاء" (healing) from Allah only for physical healing?

Whenever someone falls sick, we pray to Allah to bless him with shifā’- شفاء" and early recovery from ailment. For indeed Allah is "Ash-Shafi" (ٱلـشَّافِى), meaning "the Healer" or "the Curer." It emphasizes Allah's power to heal and cure all kinds of illnesses. Ash-Shafi is derived from the Arabic root word "shafa" (شفا), meaning "to cure" or "to heal." 

But should we seek healing from Allah only for physical ailments? Shouldnt that undermine the immense powers of Allah and restrict these to physical healing only? Let us dwell over the Arabic word "shifā’- شفاء" and try to find the magnitude of this word in the light of Qur'an and Hadith.

Meaning of Shifā’: Linguistically, Shifā’ (شفاء) simply means cure, healing, or remedy. It is the opposite of illness (marad).

In the Islamic context, shifā’ can refer to:

• Physical Healing: 
• This is the most common understanding, that is cure from illness, pain, or injury.
• For example: when someone is sick, we ask Allah for shifā’ (healing). “Allahumma rabba an-naas, adhhib al-ba’s, ishfi anta ash-shaafi...” (“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal; You are the Healer...”)
• Spiritual Healing
• Cure for spiritual / emotional diseases: While following emotional setbacks aren't classified as diseases in a medical sense, they can be detrimental to mental and emotional well-being and can be associated with certain mental health conditions. They can lead to various negative consequences and, in extreme cases, may be symptoms of more serious disorders. 
• Hypocrisy: According to psychology, hypocracy is deflection to avoid dealing with our own problems because we don't want to be judged. At the root of hypocrisy is a strong desire to be loved and accepted. The fear of humility and judgment is so powerful, that we use doublethink and cognitive dissonance to avoid facing ourselves. 
• Envy: Envy is a complex emotion that can have a significant impact on mental and emotional health. It can lead to feelings of resentment, bitterness, and even depression. Chronic envy can also damage self-esteem and relationships.
• Hate: Hate is a powerful emotion that can lead to harmful behaviors and relationships. It can manifest in various ways, from verbal abuse to violence. Hate can also be a symptom of more serious mental health conditions, such as personality disorders or psychosis. 
• Arrogance: Arrogance is often characterized by an excessive sense of self-importance and an inflated opinion of one's own abilities or status. It can be associated with narcissism and can lead to interpersonal difficulties.  
• Emotional grief:  While grief can sometimes be intense or prolonged, it's not classified as a disease unless it becomes a more complex condition like Prolonged Grief Disorder. , 
• Malice "Bugz": "Bugz" likely refers to the Urdu word "bughz," which means malice, grudge, hatred, or enmity. It can also be used in a more general way to describe anything that is considered annoying, irritating, or bothersome. In the context of Rekhta Dictionary, "bughz" is a noun referring to the concept of ill-will, while the term "bug" in English can refer to a fault, flaw, or an annoying insect. Keeping excessive malice in one's heart against others often results into many a mental disorder, sometimes incurable.
• Islam recognizes emotional pain and prescribes du‘ā’, dhikr, and turning to Allah as a means of emotional shifā’.
• The Qur'an itself is called a source of shifā’ for the heart and soul: "And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers..." (Surah Al-Isra 17:82)
• Intercession (Shafā‘ah) – Different but related concept
• Just to clarify: Shifā’ (healing) is not the same as Shafā‘ah (intercession), though the root is similar.
• Shafā‘ah is when someone intercedes on behalf of another – like the Prophet ﷺ interceding on Judgment Day.

Now back to our question: Is shifā’ only asked for physical illness?

In light of above explanation, the answer is No, it's not limited to that. In Islam, a believer may ask for shifā’ in all aspects:

• For physical illness: “اللهم اشفِ فلانًا” — "O Allah, heal so-and-so."
• For spiritual or inner peace: “اللهم اشفِ قلبي” — "O Allah, heal my heart."
• Quoting the Qur’an: “...فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ” (In it [honey] is healing for people) – [Surah An-Nahl 16:69]

References from Qur'an and Hadiths:

Here is a list of Qur'anic verses and authentic Prophetic du‘ās that mention or seek shifā’ (healing) — for physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being.

• Qur'anic Verses About Shifā’ (Healing)
• Surah Al-Isra (17:82):  
• This refers to the Qur’an as spiritual and emotional healing
• "وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ" - “And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers.”
• Surah Fussilat (41:44):
• Here again, the Qur’an is described as a source of spiritual healing.
• "...قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ..." - “Say: It is, for those who believe, a guidance and a healing.”
• Surah Ash-Shu‘ara (26:80): 
• This is the du‘ā of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) – acknowledging that only Allah gives shifā’.
• "وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ" - “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
• 4. Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
• Refers to honey as a natural healing remedy – endorsed in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• "فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ" - “In it [honey] is healing for people.”
• Prophetic Du‘ās (Sunnah) Seeking Shifā’
• Du‘ā of the Prophet ﷺ for illness (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5675):
• This is one of the most comprehensive du‘ās for any type of healing:
• "اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا" - “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal. You are the Healer. There is no healing but Yours, a healing that leaves no illness behind.”
• Du‘ā with Ruqyah (for yourself or others) – [Muslim, 2192]:
• "بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ، أَوْ عَيْنٍ حَاسِدٍ، اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ"
  “In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul and envious eye. May Allah heal you. In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you.”
• This is often recited for protection from envy, spiritual or unseen harm.
• Du‘ā of distress or sadness – [Abu Dawud, 5090]:
• "اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ..." “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow...”
• Indirectly connected to emotional shifā’.
• Du‘ā for someone sick – [Tirmidhi, 2083]:
• "أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ، رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ" - “I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to heal you.” (Repeat 7 times)
• Highly recommended for visiting the sick.

As for physical healing, A’ishah (RA), the third wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrates that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would become sick, he would recite [the last 3 Surahs of the Qur’an] and then blow over his body. She says: During his last illness from which he passed away, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to blow over himself. But when his sickness intensified, I used to (recite and then) blow over him using his own hands because of their blessings.

Thus, in the light of Qur'an and Hadiths, "shifā’- شفاء"  is not related to healing and cure from physical ailment but also cure from all kinds of spiritual ailments too, which in fact more often than not become a reason for physical ailment. Let us turn to Allah whenever we are physically or spiritually ill and be rest assured Allah responds with endless "shifā’- شفاء" and redresses our ailment. However, for physical ailment, one should also take prescribed medication and then leave the revoery to Allah for in the end it is Allah alone who blesses us with "shifā’- شفاء" .

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: Help has been taken from ChatGPT for expansion.

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Is there a correlation between Qur'an Surah 7. Al A'raf verse 172 and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on Fitrah

Every saying of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has a correlation with verses of Qur'an and is thus a prophetly explanation of what is contained in Qur'an. Sometime back we shared a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on Fitrah.  "Fitra or fitrah (Arabic: فطرة) is an Arabic word that means 'original disposition', 'natural constitution' or 'innate nature'. In Islam, fitrah is the innate human nature that recognizes the oneness of God (tawhid). It may entail either the state of purity and innocence in which Muslims believe all humans to be born, or the ability to choose or reject God's guidance." 

The Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrated by Abu Huraira states:

"No child is born but upon Fitrah. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." A person said: Allah's Messenger, what is your opinion if they were to die before that (before reaching the age of adolescence when they can distinguish between right and wrong)? He said: It is Allah alone Who knows what they would be doing. 

we have already written a detailed post on this Hadith: Every child is born in a state of Fitrah (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), which may be referred to for better understanding of the Hadith.

This Hadith of Fitrah is deeply related to Qur’an 7:172 in Islamic theology. Both refer to the idea of an inherent, primordial recognition of God placed within human beings. Let's explore their meanings and how they correlate.

The Hadith of Fitrah

Fitrah according to many Islamic scholars, includes a basic recognition of Tawhid (the Oneness of God). It implies that belief in Allah is embedded in the human soul right from birth.

Qur’an 7:172

Now let us find a correlation between the above quoted Hadith with the 172nd verse of Surah 7. Al A'raf given herein under:

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۛ شَهِدْنَآ ۛ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَـٰذَا غَـٰفِلِينَ 

And ˹remember˺ when your Lord brought forth from the loins of the children of Adam their descendants and had them testify regarding themselves. ˹Allah asked,˺ “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes, You are! We testify.” ˹He cautioned,˺ “Now you have no right to say on Judgment Day, ‘We were not aware of this.’

Eminent Muslim scholar Imam Ahmad bin Humbal in his book explains:

God gathered all human beings, divided them into different groups, granted them human form and the faculty of speech, made them enter into a covenant, and then making them witnesses against themselves He asked them: 'Am I not your Lord?' They replied: 'Assuredly you are Our Lord.' Then God told them: 'I call upon the sky and the earth and your own progenitor, Adam, to be witness against you lest you should say on the Day of Judgement that you were ignorant of this. Know well that no one other than Me deserves to he worshipped and no one other than Me is your Lord. So do not ascribe any partner to Me. I shall send to you My Messengers who will remind you of this covenant which you made with Me. I shall send down to you My Books.' In reply all said: 'We witness that You are Our Lord and our Deity. We have no lord or deity other than You.' (Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 5, p. 135 - Ed.)

This verse thus describes that:

• The "Primordial Covenant" (Mithaq) that Allah took from all human souls before their earthly existence.
• All souls affirmed God’s Lordship with the response "Bala" (Yes!).
• This testimony serves as a foundational awareness that humans are accountable to recognize and worship Allah.

Now let us try to find a correlation between the Hadith and the Verse of Surah Al A'raf:

Innate Knowledge of God

• Hadith of Fitrah: Every child is born with a natural inclination toward belief in One God.
• Qur'an 7:172: Every soul testified to God's Lordship before birth.

Accountability

• Hadith of Fitrah: People deviate due to external influences (e.g., parents, society).
• Qur'an 7:172: Humans cannot claim ignorance of God’s existence on Judgment Day.

Divine Imprint

• Hadith of Fitrah: God instills Fitrah as part of human nature.
• Qur'an 7:172: God extracted a testimony from human souls, forming a spiritual imprint.

Original Purity

• Hadith of Fitrah: Fitrah is a symbol of original spiritual purity.
• Qur'an 7:172: The Primordial Covenant reflects pre-earthly spiritual awareness.

Conclusion

The Hadith of Fitrah and Qur’an 7:172 complement each other by reinforcing the idea that human beings have an inborn awareness of God. While the Hadith highlights the role of nurture and external influences, the Qur'anic verse focuses on a pre-temporal, spiritual event that binds all souls to divine accountability.

Together, the Hadith and the Qur'anic verse underpin a major Islamic theological point: belief in God is natural and intrinsic, not acquired, and deviation from it is due to external, worldly influences.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo: Pixabay| Qur'an and Hadith References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | Source of Hadith

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