فَلَمَّا رَاٰ الشَّمۡسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هٰذَا رَبِّىۡ هٰذَاۤ اَكۡبَرُۚ فَلَمَّاۤ اَفَلَتۡ قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اِنِّىۡ بَرِىۡٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشۡرِكُوۡنَ
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Falamma raa ashshamsabazighatan qala hatha rabbee hathaakbaru falamma afalat qala ya qawmi inneebaree-on mimma tushrikoon
What Does Surah Al-An"aam Ayah 78 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah Al-An"aam Ayah 78 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓Why did Prophet Ibrahim declare the sun was 'greater' than the moon and star?
Ibrahim said 'hatha akbar' (this is greater) when seeing the sun because it was indeed the largest, brightest, and most radiant of all visible celestial bodies to the human eye. According to classical tafsir, this was part of his systematic 'hujjat ilzami' (compelling argument) - starting with the least prominent celestial object (the star) and progressing to the most prominent (the sun) to demonstrate that even the greatest visible creation is still limited, dependent, and unworthy of worship.
❓What is the significance of Ibrahim's declaration 'O my people! I am free from all that you associate with Allah'?
This declaration of 'bara'ah' (disavowal) represents Ibrahim's complete rejection of all forms of shirk (polytheism). After systematically proving the inadequacy of star, moon, and sun worship through their setting and limitations, Ibrahim publicly declared his complete freedom from all false worship. This marked the conclusion of his logical argument and his turn to pure Tawhid (monotheism), worshipping only Allah who created and governs all celestial bodies.
❓How did Ibrahim's contemplation of the sun complete his astronomical argument against polytheism?
Ibrahim's sun contemplation was the final step in his systematic refutation of celestial worship. Having observed the star and moon set, he now watched the sun - the greatest visible celestial body - also set and disappear. This completed his demonstration that all created objects, regardless of their size, brightness, or apparent power, are subject to change, limitation, and subservience to predetermined courses, making them unworthy of worship. Only the unchanging Creator deserves worship.
❓What does the Arabic phrase 'hatha akbar' teach us about Ibrahim's argumentative strategy?
'Hatha akbar' (this is greater) shows Ibrahim's methodical approach in his 'hujjat ilzami' (compelling argument). He acknowledged the genuine superiority of the sun over the star and moon in terms of size and radiance, meeting his people where they were in their thinking. This honest acknowledgment made his subsequent argument more powerful - if even the greatest visible creation sets and shows limitation, how much more inadequate are lesser objects for worship.
❓How does this verse demonstrate the Islamic principle of bara'ah (disavowal) from shirk?
Ibrahim's declaration 'inni bari' mimma tushrikun' (I am free from what you associate) establishes the Islamic principle that true monotheism requires not just belief in Allah, but active rejection and disavowal of all forms of shirk. This bara'ah is not mere intellectual disagreement but a complete spiritual, emotional, and practical separation from all false worship. It demonstrates that pure Tawhid cannot coexist with any form of polytheism or association with Allah.
❓What was Ibrahim's challenge to his people's false gods, and what does it signify?
After declaring his freedom from shirk, Ibrahim essentially challenged his people's false gods by saying: 'If they are indeed gods as you claim, then bring your plot against me and do not give me respite.' This bold challenge demonstrated his complete confidence in Allah's protection and the powerlessness of false deities. It signifies that true believers should have complete trust in Allah's supremacy and not fear the imagined power of false objects of worship.
❓How did Ibrahim's method differ from direct confrontation in refuting false beliefs?
Ibrahim used gradual, guided observation rather than direct confrontation. Instead of immediately telling his people their beliefs were wrong, he led them through a process of observation and reasoning. He let them see for themselves how celestial objects set and showed limitation. This prophetic method of da'wah is more effective because it helps people reach conclusions through their own observation and reasoning, making the truth more acceptable and lasting than forceful argument.
❓What does this verse teach about the relationship between created objects and their Creator?
This verse establishes that all created objects, no matter how magnificent (like the sun), are subservient to their Creator and subject to His laws. They follow predetermined courses, rise and set according to His command, and demonstrate their dependence and limitation. Only the Creator who governs these objects - who is eternal, unchanging, and independent - deserves worship. The verse teaches that observing creation should lead to recognizing and worshipping the Creator, not the creation itself.
❓How does Ibrahim's astronomical argument apply to refuting modern forms of false worship?
Ibrahim's principle applies to any object of excessive devotion in modern times: anything subject to change, limitation, dependency, or eventual destruction cannot be worthy of ultimate allegiance or worship. Whether material possessions, ideologies, personalities, or institutions - if they show limitation, change, or dependency on external factors, they prove their inadequacy as objects of ultimate devotion. True worship belongs only to Allah, the eternal and independent Creator who governs all things.
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