Surah Al-Anbiya [21] | Overview, Themes, Lessons & More

Surah Name: Al-Anbiya (سورة الأنبياء)
Translation: The Prophets
Origin of name: The Surah is named "Al-Anbiya" (The Prophets) because it mentions the stories and characteristics of 18 prophets to convey lessons and reinforce the message of monotheism.

Surah Number: 21
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 112

Makki or Madani: Makki
Approximate Time of Revelation: Revealed during the middle to late Makkan period.

Historical Context

Surah Al-Anbiya was revealed during middle to the latter part of the Meccan period when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers were facing intense opposition from the Quraysh. This period was marked by the polytheists’ rejection of the Prophet's message, their ridicule of the Quran, and their demand for miraculous signs to prove its authenticity. The Surah addresses these challenges by drawing upon the lives and struggles of past prophets.

It is named "Al-Anbiya" (The Prophets) because it recounts the stories of several prophets, emphasizing their perseverance in the face of adversity and their ultimate triumph through divine support. These examples serve as encouragement for the Prophet Muhammad and his followers to remain steadfast in their mission.

The Surah highlights the universal nature of divine guidance, the ultimate victory of truth over falsehood, and the accountability of all people before Allah. It reflects the broader struggles within the Meccan society, where disbelief, idolatry, and mockery were widespread, contrasting these with the virtuous path of monotheism and submission to Allah conveyed by the Prophet and the scriptures of the past.

Main Themes

• Prophets' Struggles and Triumphs:
  The surah recounts the lives and missions of 18 prophets, highlighting their challenges, patience, and eventual success in spreading the message of truth. It emphasizes the ultimate victory of right (haqq) over falsehood (batil).

• Warning to the Disbelievers:
  The disbelievers are warned about the Day of Judgment and their heedlessness towards divine warnings. Their mockery of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is condemned, and the consequences of rejecting guidance are detailed.

• Divine Sovereignty and Creation:
  The surah underscores Allah’s complete control over the universe. The order and harmony in creation serve as signs of Allah’s Oneness and power, reinforcing the rational and scientific nature of the Quran as a universal miracle.

• Unity of Prophetic Message and Faith:
  All prophets and their communities are portrayed as part of a single mission to call humanity to worship Allah alone. Despite their unity in faith, human divisions emerged over time due to selfishness and misguidance.

• Examples of Prophetic Perseverance:
  Prophets such as Ibrahim, Musa, Nuh, Ishaq, Yaqub, Isa, and others are showcased as models of steadfastness, dedication to tawhid (oneness of Allah), and reliance on Allah, even in the face of extreme adversity. Ibrahim’s miraculous survival from fire is particularly highlighted.

• Accountability and Final Return:
  The surah vividly reminds that all human beings will return to Allah for judgment. While the righteous will inherit blessings on earth and in the Hereafter, the oppressors and deniers of truth will face punishment.

• Prophet Muhammad as a Mercy to the Worlds:
  The universal role of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is underscored with the declaration, “We sent you only as a mercy to the worlds.” This highlights the encompassing and compassionate nature of his mission.

Key Messages/Lessons

• The inevitability of accountability; heedlessness and mockery of divine messages lead to ruin.
• Prophets are human but chosen by Allah to guide humanity through their steadfastness and teachings.
• The Quran is a mercy and a reminder, offering guidance to elevate humanity.
• Truth will always triumph over falsehood, as shown in the lives of past prophets.
• The unity of all prophets under the same fundamental message: worship of Allah and rejection of falsehood.
• Examples from the lives of prophets (Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, etc.) teach perseverance, trust in Allah, and unwavering faith.
• Allah’s dominance over the universe is evident in the natural order and serves as a sign for reflection.
• Denial of divine signs results in severe consequences both in this life and the afterlife.
• Allah’s messengers are sent as a mercy and their message is universal, highlighting divine compassion and justice.

Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Anbiya

• Verse 7:
  "We did not send ˹messengers˺ before you ˹O Prophet˺ except mere men inspired by Us. If you ˹polytheists˺ do not know ˹this already˺, then ask those who have knowledge ˹of the Scriptures˺."
  A clear affirmation that all prophets were human beings chosen by Allah to deliver His message.

• Verse 16-17:
  "We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything in between for sport. Had We intended to take ˹some˺ amusement, We could have found it in Our presence, if that had been Our Will."
  A powerful declaration of the meaningful purpose behind the creation of the universe.

• Verse 22:
  "Had there been other gods besides Allah in the heavens or the earth, both ˹realms˺ would have surely been corrupted. So Glorified is Allah, Lord of the Throne, far above what they claim."
  A clear logical argument for monotheism.

• Verse 30:
  "Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were ˹once˺ one mass then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?"
  A quranic miracle describing what we know as The Big Bang today.

• Verse 47:
  "We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And ˹even˺ if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a ˹vigilant˺ Reckoner."
  A vivid description of the perfect justice on the Day of Judgment.

• Verse 69:
  "We ordered, “O fire! Be cool and safe for Abraham!”"
  Referring to the miraculous protection of Prophet Ibrahim when he was thrown into the fire.

• Verse 87:
  "And ˹remember˺ when the Man of the Whale stormed off ˹from his city˺ in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then in the ˹veils of˺ darkness he cried out, “There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.”"
  A heartfelt prayer of repentance by Prophet Yunus (Jonah).

• Verse 107:
  "We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world."
  Highlighting the universal and merciful nature of Prophet Muhammad's mission.

Scientific Miracle in Surah Al-Anbiya

• Verse 32:
  "And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away."

  The sky is not just a breathtaking sight but also a crucial shield for life on Earth. Its protective properties, such as filtering harmful radiation and preventing meteors from reaching the surface, are essential for our survival.

  Learn more about this scientific miracle here: The Sky: A Protected Ceiling

• Verse 30:
  "Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were ˹once˺ one mass then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?"

  This verse, revealed over 1400 years ago, was intended for the people of our times, as it aligns remarkably with the modern Big Bang theory. It describes the heavens and earth as a single mass before being separated, showcasing that the Qur'an came from the same Creator who created the universe.

  Learn more about this scientific miracle here: Big Bang Theory and the Expanding Universe

• Verse 33:
  "And He is the One Who created the day and the night, the sun and the moon—each travelling in an orbit."

  In ancient times, it was believed that the Earth was stationary and the sun revolved around it. Later, scientists like Copernicus and Galileo revealed that the Earth orbits the sun. However, the discovery that the sun also has its own orbit was made much later—a fact already mentioned in the Qur'an over 1400 years ago, showcasing its divine insight.

  Learn more about this scientific miracle here: Orbit of the Sun