Background Information of Surah Al-An’am
Timing of Revelation: Revealed during the late Meccan period, largely in one piece. It consists of 165 verses.
Contextual Placement: Continues the spiritual history of humanity from where the previous Surah left off, addressing the creation of humans and the history of the “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians), and how they altered or neglected Allah’s message.
Key Themes and Messages
Comparison with Pagan Beliefs:
Contrast of Islamic Teachings: The Surah contrasts the monotheistic teachings of Islam with the polytheistic beliefs of the pagan Arabs.
Attributes of Allah: Describes Allah as the Creator, Sustainer, and the absolute Truth, questioning why humans should not surrender to His will.
Critique of Idolatry:
Exposure of Pagan Weaknesses: Highlights the flaws in pagan beliefs, showing how they deny the truth by dismissing it as poetry or sorcery.
Encouragement to Observe History: Calls on disbelievers to travel the earth and see the end of those who denied the truth, emphasizing their ultimate destruction and loss in the hereafter.
Value of the Hereafter Over Worldly Life:
Temporal Nature of Worldly Goods: Stresses that the goods and life of this world are temporary, whereas the life hereafter is superior.
Prophetic Courage and Signs of Allah:
Support for Prophets: Encourages prophets when faced with rejection, indicating that denial of truth is a sign of being spiritually “deaf, dumb, and blind” despite the evident signs of Allah’s work in creation.
Obedience in Nature: Points out that everything in the heavens and on earth obeys Allah, who knows the unseen and the secrets of all things.
Perfect Creation as Proof of Divine Sovereignty:
Argument of Creation: Uses the perfection of creation as evidence of Allah’s sole deity and care, reminiscent of the argument made by Abraham (a.s.) against idol worshippers.
Rejection of Sun and Moon Worship: Abraham (a.s.) refutes the worship of the sun and moon, emphasizing that their transient nature disqualifies them as deities.
Continuity of Prophetic Truth:
Lineage of Prophets: From Abraham (a.s.) to Muhammad (s.a.w), highlighting that the prophets kept the truth revealed by Allah alive, culminating in the Quran.
Guidance and Misguidance:
Self-Deception of the Stubborn: Those who stubbornly reject Allah’s message deceive themselves and should be avoided. Their mutual support is futile without Allah’s help.
Adherence to the Quran: Encourages following the straight path as outlined in the Quran, despite the prevalence of crime, conspiracies, and disbelief.
Topical Analysis of Rukus
Ruku 1: Verses 1-10
After God has declared that there can be no other Lord but Him, He talks about the polytheists who are still stubborn in disbelief.
Ruku 2: Verses 11-20
God reveals his own greatness, might and power. He explains the importance of believing in Him and taking refuge in Allah’s mercy from the Day of Judgment that will come.
Ruku 3: Verses 21-30
Allah speaks about those who associate partners with Him and those who deny His verses. He informs us of their situations on the day of judgement.
Ruku 4: Verses 31-41
Allah tells our Prophet (pbuh) that he should not grieve because of the deniers.
Ruku 5: Verses 42-50
God talks about the destruction of the tribes who denied their prophets.
Allah teaches the Prophet (pbuh) some questions to ask the unbelievers.
Ruku 6: Verses 51-55
Allah warns us against arrogant behavior towards poor and slave muslims and protects the Prophet (pbuh) from making mistakes.
God says that he accepts the repentances.
Ruku 7: Verses 56-60
The knowledge of the torment and the unseen that disbelievers want to inflict on them is only with Allah.
Our return is only to Allah.
Ruku 8: Verses 61-70
The might and power of Allah over people, the return of people to Allah, and the attitude and stance of the pious towards the unbelievers are explained.
Ruku 9: Verses 71-82
The commands of Allah.
The life of Abraham (pbuh) and the conversation between him and his people.
Ruku 10: Verses 83-90
Allah counts 18 prophets and says that he made these prophets superior to other people and that the way they were taught is the right way of Allah.
Ruku 11: Verses 91-94
People who make up lies about Allah and what awaits those people at the time of death and reckoning are explained.
Ruku 12: Verses 95-100
Allah talks about the miracles He has created before people’s eyes and explains it for us to understand.
Ruku 13: Verses 101-110
Allah speaks of His own power and the comprehensibility of His verses. He advises the Prophet (pbuh) not to be upset about those who do not believe despite these.
Ruku 14: Verses 111-121
Allah talks about the evils of human and jinn devils, the perfection of the Quran in terms of truth and justice, and that only those animals that were slaughtered in the name of Allah are allowed to be eaten.
Ruku 15: Verses 122-129
While Allah explains the difference between unbelievers and believers, He mentions that the things unbelievers do in this world seem fancy to them.
Both groups (believers & unbelievers) are told about the things that awaits them in the hereafter.
Ruku 16: Verses 130-140
Allah has sent warners (prophets) to every society, and no society will be punished without having a warner assigned to them.
Allah’s order will come true and we will witness it.
The ugly deeds of those who associate partners with Allah are explained.
Ruku 17: Verses 141-144
While Allah creates various blessings for people, he explains that he has made it lawful for people to benefit from these blessings without wasting them and without forgetting the poor.
He distorts the lies of the polytheists who invent lies in the name of Allah.
Ruku 18: Verses 145-150
Allah tells the believers about the foods that are forbidden, and then to the Jews about the foods that are forbidden to them because of their error.
He is talking about the polytheists’ turning the responsibility of their own errors to Allah without showing any evidence or proof.
Ruku 19: Verses 151-154
Allah explains to us the right path mentioned in Surah Fatiha.
Ruku 20: Verses 155-165
Allah talks about the descent of a Qur’an that clearly shows the right path, and that those who deny it are the worst oppressors and that they must believe and attain salvation before it is too late.
The futility of seeking a Lord other than Allah, His trials, His justice and His mercy are explained.
