Surah Al-'Ankabut 29:16

Ibrahim's preaching to His People

Allah tells us how His servant, Messenger and close friend Ibrahim, the Imam of the monotheists, called his people to worship Allah alone, with no partner or associate, to fear Him alone, to seek provision from Him alone, with no partner or associate, to give thanks to Him alone, for He is the One to Whom thanks should be given for the blessings which none can bestow but He. Ibrahim said to his people:

(Worship Allah, and have Taqwa of Him,) meaning worship Him and fear Him Alone, with all sincerity.

(that is better for you if you know.) if you do that you will attain good in this world and the next, and you will prevent evil from yourselves in this world and the Hereafter. Then Allah states that the idols which they worshipped were not able to do any harm or any good, and tells them, "You made up names for them and called them gods, but they are created beings just like you." This interpretation was reported by Al-`Awfi from Ibn `Abbas. It was also the view of Mujahid and As-Suddi. Al-Walibi reported from Ibn `Abbas: "You invent falsehood, means, you carve idols," which do not have the power to provide for you.

(so seek from Allah your provision,) This emphasizes the idea of asking Allah Alone. This is like the Ayat:

(You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help.) (1:5) And His saying:

(My Lord! Build for me, with You, a home in Paradise) (66:11). Allah says here:

(so seek) meaning, ask for

(from Allah your provision,) meaning, do not seek it from anyone or anything other than Him, for no one else possesses the power to do anything.

(and worship Him, and be grateful to Him.) Eat from what He has provided and worship Him Alone, and give thanks to Him for the blessings He has given you.

(To Him you will be brought back.) means, on the Day of Resurrection, when He will reward or punish each person according to his deeds. His saying:

(And if you deny, then nations before you have denied.) means, `you have heard what happened to them by way of punishment for opposing the Messengers.'

(And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey plainly.) All the Messengers have to do is to convey the Message as Allah has commanded them. Allah guides whoever He wills and leaves astray whoever He wills, so strive to be among the blessed. Qatadah said concerning the Ayah:

(And if you deny, then nations before you have denied.) "These are words of consolation to His Prophet, peace be upon him." This suggestion by Qatadah implies that the narrative (about Ibrahim) is interrupted here, and resumes with the words "And nothing was the answer of (Ibrahim's) people..." in Ayah 24. This was also stated by Ibn Jarir. From the context it appears that Ibrahim, peace be upon him, said all of what is in this section. Here he establishes proof against them that the Resurrection will indeed come to pass, because at the end of this passage it says:

("And nothing was the answer of his people...")(29:24) And Allah knows best.

Allah memerintahkan Nabi Muhammad agar menceritakan kepada umatnya kisah Nabi Ibrahim. Setelah dewasa, sempurna pertumbuhan akalnya, sanggup untuk berpikir dan menganalisa sesuatu dengan objektif, dan telah memungkinkan untuk mencapai derajat kenabian yang sempurna, maka Ibrahim mulai mencurahkan perhatiannya menyeru manusia untuk menerima kebenaran yang dibawanya. Ia mengajak mereka untuk mengesakan Allah dalam ibadah dan membersihkan diri dari segala bentuk kemusyrikan. Ia juga menyerukan agar mereka ikhlas mengabdi kepada Allah baik ketika seorang diri atau di hadapan orang banyak, serta menjauhi murka Allah dengan melaksanakan segala tugas dan kewajiban yang diperintahkan-Nya, serta menjauhi segala larangan-Nya.

Semuanya itu merupakan perintah Allah yang harus disampaikan oleh Ibrahim kepada kaumnya. Apa yang disampaikan itu adalah yang terbaik andaikata mereka memiliki sedikit ilmu pengetahuan. Dengan ilmu itu mereka dapat membedakan antara yang baik dan yang buruk, dan bagaimana mencari atau memperoleh kemanfaatan sebanyak-banyaknya untuk dunia dan akhirat. Kemudian Ibrahim menunjukkan kepada mereka tentang kesengsaraan yang menimpa orang yang mencari tuhan selain Allah.