Tafseer Surah Baqarah Verse 130 | Surah Baqarah explanation in English | Surah Baqarah explained | Surah Baqarah Ayat 130

Tafseer Surah Baqarah Verse 130 | Surah Baqarah explanation in English | Surah Baqarah explained | Surah Baqarah Ayat 130 Translation

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Only the Fools deviate from Prophet Ibraheem’s Religion

Surah Baqarah Verse 130

In the previous ayaat we studied the story of Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhi salaam – the tests that he went through, the sacrifices that he made, and how Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala chose him as the Imam for all mankind. In the present ayaat a call is being given to everyone who claims to be a follower of Prophet Ibraheem yet is treading a different path.

The word yarghabu [يَرْغَبُ] is from the root ra-ghayn-ba and it means ‘to desire, long for or wish’. The word safiha [سَفِهَ] is from the root seen-fa-ha and it means ‘to be foolish, stupid or imprudent’. The word istafaynahu [اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ] is from the root saad-fa-wau and it means ‘to distinguish, select or choose’.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala refuted the disbelievers’ innovations of associating partners with Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala in defiance of the religion of Ibraheem ‘alayhi salaam. Prophet Ibraheem always singled out Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala in worship, with sincerity, and he did not call upon others besides Allah. He did not commit Shirk, even for an instant. He disowned every other deity that was being worshiped instead of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and defied all his people in this regard. He said,

فَلَماَّ رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَـذَا رَبِّى هَـذَآ أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ – إِنِّى وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّذِى فَطَرَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضَ حَنِيفاً وَمَآ أَنَاْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

“O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allah). Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Haneefah [Islamic Monotheism], and I am not of Al-Mushrikeen (those that associate partners with Allah).” [Al-Anaam 6:78-79].

About him, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala said,

إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَـنِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ – شَاكِراً لانْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَـهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ – وَءاتَيْنَـهُ فِى الْدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ

“Verily, Ibraheem was an Ummah (a leader having all the good qualities, or a nation), obedient to Allah, Haneef [worshiped none but Allah], and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikeen [those that associate partners with Allah]. (He was) thankful for His (Allah’s) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.” [An-Nahl 16:120-122]

This is why Allah said here, “And who turns away from the religion of Ibraheem except him who fools himself.” It means abandoning the path, way and method of Ibraheem ‘alayhi salaam is foolishness – an injustice that man commits against himself.  Such a person defies the path of he who was chosen in this life to be an Imam. Is there anything more insane than deviating from this path and following the path of misguidance and deviation instead?

Abu Al-‘Aliyah and Qatadah said that this ayah (2:130) was revealed about the Jews who invented a practice that did not come from Allah and that defied the religion of Prophet Ibraheem. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says in Surah Aal Imran,

“Ibraheem was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Haneefah and he was not of Al-Mushrikeen. Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibraheem are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali [Protector and Helper] of the believers.” (3:67-68).

Being a follower of Ibraheem ‘alayhi salaam means accepting Muhammad salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as the Messenger of Allah because Prophet Ibraheem prayed for him and Muhammad salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Truly, my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, a right religion, the religion of Ibraheem.” [Al-Anaam 6: 161]

In Surah An-Nahl, it appears,

“Then We inspired you (O Muhammad): Follow the religion of Ibraheem, Haneefa and he was not of the Mushrikoon.” (16: 123)

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