Surah Al-An'am, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, centred on the doctrine of Tawhid (Divine Oneness), critique of polytheism, and invitation to submission to the Divine will, calls humanity to contemplate the relationship between faith, righteous deeds, and well-being in both this world and the hereafter. This surah, emphasising Divine sovereignty, Gods boundless mercy, and warning about the torment of the Resurrection, serves as a guide for living a path that links worldly health with eternal felicity. The present treatise, inspired by the discourses of religious scholars, endeavours to revisit and analyse the verses of this surah with a profound and comprehensive perspective. The aim is to elucidate Quranic concepts within a framework that remains faithful to the principles of Tawhid while paying due attention to practical and ethical dimensions of life. This text, structured methodically and employing clear and dignified language, attempts to interpret the verses with a novel yet deeply rooted outlook in Quranic knowledge.
The Holy Quran in Surah Al-An'am instructs the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly to speak of Tawhid in guardianship and to negate any reliance upon other than God. This invitation is not only for the Prophet but is a message for all believers to centre their lives upon obedience and submission to God.
Say: Shall I take other than God as a guardian, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who provides sustenance and is not Himself provided for? Say: I have been commanded to be the first to submit, and never to be of the polytheists.
This verse introduces God as the Creator (Ftir) of the heavens and the earth and the self-sufficient Provider (Razzq), who alone deserves guardianship. Tawhid in guardianship is akin to a key that opens the gates of felicity and liberates man from the shackles of polytheism and false dependencies. This concept is deeply linked with verses from Surah Al-Imran, such as verse 68, which mentions the guardianship of the believers with God and the Prophet. The emphasis on avoiding polytheism is a call to sincerity in worship and abstaining from anything that diverts man from the path of truth.
The repetition of the imperative Qul (Say) in this and other verses signifies the Prophets mission to precisely convey the Divine revelation. This command not only indicates the Prophets responsibility in transmitting the message but also presents him as a role model for the community, who through complete submission to God, treads the path of felicity. This repetition is like a melody emanating from the heavens of revelation, reaching the heart and guiding man towards the truth.
This section, by clarifying the concept of Tawhid in guardianship, emphasised the necessity of submission to God and avoidance of polytheism. The verses of Surah Al-An'am invite man to reconsider his dependencies and introduce the Prophet as an unparalleled exemplar in sincerity and obedience. These concepts not only strengthen foundational beliefs but also provide practical guidance for living a Tawhidic life.
The Holy Quran explicitly commands the Prophet to speak of his fear of the punishment of the Resurrection should he disobey. This fear is a sign of the Prophets piety and an invitation for the community to choose the path of obedience through contemplation on the consequences of their deeds.
Say: I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a mighty Day.
The phrase Yawm Am refers to the Resurrection, a day whose magnitude drives man towards piety and abstention from sin. This fear functions as a lamp illuminating the dark path of sin and guiding man to obedience. This concept aligns with verse 102 of Surah Al-Imran, which invites to Godly piety, underscoring the role of fear in guidance.
This section, focusing on the concept of fear of the Resurrection, stressed the necessity of piety and obedience to God. The verses of Surah Al-An'am, through an invitation to reflect on the consequences of actions, guide man to a path where piety and Divine fear are keys to deliverance from punishment and attainment of felicity.
The Holy Quran presents deliverance from the punishment of Resurrection as a result of Divine mercy and an instance of great success. This deliverance is the goal every believer seeks and a sign of eternal felicity.
Whoever is averted from it [punishment] on that Day has certainly been shown mercy; and that is the supreme success.
The great success is like a summit that the believer attains through faith and righteous deeds. This deliverance results from Divine mercy, which shields man from the torment of the Resurrection. This concept is deeply connected with verse 185 of Surah Al-Imran, which stresses salvation from punishment as the objective of faith.
This section, elucidating the concept of great success, emphasised the importance of Divine mercy and deliverance from the punishment of Resurrection. The verses of Surah Al-An'am steer man towards conduct that, through faith and piety, guarantees eternal felicity.
Worldly well-being is akin to a spring that heralds a fruitful autumn. The proverb A good year is known from its spring beautifully expresses the truth that a world free of oppression and corruption mirrors a prosperous hereafter. The Holy Quran, by stressing rectification of behaviour in this world, guides man towards eternal felicity.
A wholesome life, formed by abstention from oppression, injustice, hypocrisy, and deceit, is the foundation upon which the hereafter rests. A person who acts with justice and equity in this world, experiences the blossoming of the spring of lifes eternal felicity. This concept aligns with verse 148 of Surah Al-Imran, which refers to the reward in both worlds for believers.
Excessive focus on the hereafter without attention to rectifying this world is like sowing seed in dry soil that will never bear fruit. Man should engage in reforming his behaviour in this world instead of merely worrying about the hereafter. Abstaining from oppression, theft, and harm to others is the key that unlocks the gates of felicity. This concept is connected with verse 145 of Surah Al-Imran, which highlights the importance of deeds in this world for attaining the hereafter.
This section, emphasising the connection between this world and the hereafter, demonstrated that worldly well-being forms the foundation of eternal felicity. The verses of Surah Al-An'am, by inviting to rectification of behaviour and avoidance of oppression, guide man towards a life where well-being and felicity are interwoven.
Oppression is
