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21

Al-Anbya

The Prophets

Verses

112

Revelation Period

Makkan

Reason for the Name

Named "The Prophets" because the Surah prominently features narratives and mentions of numerous Prophets (peace be upon them all), highlighting their shared message of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) and their struggles. (See verses 48-93)

Summary

Surah Al-Anbya begins with a stark warning that the Day of Judgment is drawing near, yet people remain heedless and immersed in diversion . It addresses the common objections raised by disbelievers against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Quran, such as demanding miracles or questioning his prophethood, pointing out that similar objections were raised against previous prophets.

The Surah then presents a powerful sequence mentioning numerous prophets – including Musa, Harun, Ibrahim, Lut, Nuh, Dawud, Sulayman, Ayyub, Isma'il, Idris, Dhul-Kifl, Yunus, Zakariyya, Yahya, and Isa (through Maryam) – emphasizing their devotion to Allah, their struggles against polytheism, Allah's deliverance, and the consistent message they brought: worship Allah alone .

It underscores Allah's power in creation (e.g., heavens and earth were joined, life from water - and His justice. The Surah concludes by reaffirming the certainty of the Last Hour, the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and declares Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a mercy to all worlds .

Core Message

To affirm the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawhid) and the truth of Resurrection/Judgment by highlighting the unified core message delivered by all prophets throughout history, warning humanity against heedlessness concerning the approaching Day of Accountability.

Themes

  • Tawhid (Oneness of Allah): The central, unifying theme, emphasized through the message of all prophets .
  • Prophethood (Risalah): Showcasing the struggles, perseverance, and divine support for numerous prophets, validating the institution of prophethood and Muhammad's (PBUH) mission.
  • Resurrection & Judgment (Qiyamah): A recurring warning about its nearness and certainty , .
  • Heedlessness & Rejection: Criticizing humanity's tendency towards distraction and denial of divine warnings .
  • Stories of Prophets: Brief but impactful accounts highlighting key aspects of their lives and missions.
  • Allah's Power & Creation: Verses pointing to the wonders of creation as signs of Allah's existence and power .
  • Allah's Mercy & Justice: Demonstrated through His deliverance of the prophets and the eventual accountability for all deeds.
  • Universality of Islam: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sent as a mercy to all creation .

Key Verses

  • "˹The time for˺ people’s judgment has drawn near, yet they are heedlessly turning away." - A powerful opening statement setting the Surah's urgent tone.
  • "We never sent a messenger before you ˹O Prophet˺ without revealing to him: 'There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me, so worship Me ˹alone˺.'" - Explicitly states the core, unified message of all prophets (Tawhid).
  • "Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and the earth were ˹once˺ one mass then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" - Points to cosmological and biological truths as signs of God.
  • (Story of Yunus/Jonah) "And ˹remember˺ when the Man of the Whale stormed off in anger... But he cried out in the depths of darkness, 'There is no god worthy of worship except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.' So We answered his prayer and rescued him from distress. And so do We save the believers." - Highlights Allah's mercy and the power of repentance.
  • "We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy to the 'alamin (all worlds/all creation)." - Defines the universal scope and merciful nature of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mission.

Stories

  • Ibrahim (AS): Challenging idolatry, breaking idols, being saved from the fire .
  • Nuh (AS): His plea against his disbelieving people and their destruction in the flood .
  • Dawud (AS) & Sulayman (AS): Their wisdom, control over nature granted by Allah .
  • Ayyub (AS): His patience during severe affliction and subsequent relief from Allah .
  • Yunus (AS): His repentance in the belly of the whale and Allah's acceptance .
  • Zakariyya (AS) & Yahya (AS): Zakariyya's prayer for an heir and the miraculous birth of Yahya .
  • Maryam (AS) & Isa (AS): Maryam's chastity and the miraculous birth of Isa (AS), both presented as signs of Allah .

Personalities

  • Numerous Prophets (AS): Musa, Harun, Ibrahim, Lut, Ishaq, Ya'qub, Nuh, Dawud, Sulayman, Ayyub, Isma'il, Idris, Dhul-Kifl, Yunus (referred to as Dhun-Nun/Man of the Whale), Zakariyya, Yahya. Their stories collectively emphasize Tawhid, patience, and Allah's support.
  • Maryam (AS): Mentioned for her chastity and as a sign from Allah through the miraculous birth of Isa (AS) .
  • Isa (AS): Mentioned along with his mother Maryam as a sign .

Practical Guidance

  • Combatting Heedlessness: The Surah serves as a constant reminder to remain conscious of our purpose and the accountability of the Hereafter .
  • Learning from History: The consistency in the prophets' messages and the fate of those who rejected them provides lessons for contemporary believers and societies.
  • The Unifying Message: Understanding that all prophets called to the same core belief (Tawhid) fosters unity and respect for previous divine revelations .
  • Patience in Trials: The example of Prophet Ayyub (AS) teaches profound patience and trust in Allah during hardship .
  • Hope in Repentance: The story of Prophet Yunus (AS) shows that sincere repentance, even in the darkest moments, can bring Allah's mercy and deliverance .
  • Recognizing Allah through Creation: Reflecting on the natural world (heavens, earth, life from water) can strengthen faith .
  • Embodying Mercy: Understanding Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a "mercy to the worlds" encourages Muslims to strive for merciful conduct towards all .

Points of Reflection

  • How does the knowledge that Judgment Day is "drawing near" impact my daily priorities and actions?
  • Reflecting on the diverse prophets mentioned, what common qualities did they exhibit in conveying the message of Tawhid despite facing rejection?
  • In what practical ways can I embody the "mercy" mentioned in verse in my interactions with others, regardless of their background?

Unique Features

  • Named "The Prophets" due to the high concentration of prophetic figures mentioned.
  • Strong emphasis on the unified message (Tawhid) across all prophets.
  • Powerful opening warning about the approach of the Day of Judgment.
  • Revealed during the Makkan period, focusing on establishing core عقيدة (creed/belief) – Tawhid, Prophethood, Hereafter.

Connection to Chapters

  • Previous Surah (Taha, Chapter 20): Surah Taha focuses extensively on the story of Prophet Musa (AS) and the confrontation with Pharaoh, establishing Tawhid and Prophethood. Surah Al-Anbya continues this theme by broadening the scope to include many prophets, reinforcing the universality and consistency of the divine message introduced in Taha.
  • Next Surah (Al-Hajj, Chapter 22): Surah Al-Hajj continues themes related to the signs of Allah, the struggle between truth and falsehood, resurrection, and judgment. It also prominently features Prophet Ibrahim (AS), linking back to his mention in Al-Anbya, particularly concerning the rites of Hajj established by him. Both Surahs address the objections of the disbelievers and call humanity towards submission to Allah.