Day 67 · Surah Al-An'am Verses 1-18

Al-An'am 1–18

A new surah opens with praise for the creation of the heavens, earth, darkness and light, then answers the reason why the disbelievers demand the revelation be written and a messenger from among the angels.

• Two things are mentioned as sufficient to nurture faith: the wonder of the creation of the universe and man from earth, and the traces of mighty nations of the past who were destroyed.
• Nevertheless, many people still deny with unreasonable excuses such as demanding the revelation be sent down written on paper.
• It is explained that a written revelation would be thought to be sorcery, and if the messenger were an angel, humans would not be able to follow his way of life.
• They are actually just mocking the Messenger as happened to the messengers before him, so they are invited to read the history of nations destroyed because of such mockery.
• The Messenger is commanded to teach that Allah is the Owner of the heavens and earth, who provides sustenance and gathers mankind on the Day of Judgment, so that only He is worthy of worship.

Surah Al-An'am begins with praise to Allah who created the heavens, earth, darkness and light. Yet the disbelievers still associate partners with Allah in various ways and means.

Verses 2-8 explain two scientific factors that function to create and instill faith in the hearts of mankind.

1. The wonder factor of the creation of the universe and mankind. Man is created from earth and then each is determined his appointed term.
2. The historical fact of mighty and powerful nations on earth like the people of Ad, Thamud, Pharaoh and so on that Allah destroyed.

These two things are sufficient for man to believe and obey his Creator and the Creator of the universe. Because in fact, Allah is the Lord of the heavens and earth and knows all that mankind declares and conceals.

Nevertheless, there are still many people who deny, reject the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Messenger with reasons that are not logical, such as the Qur'an being sent down not in written form and the Messenger not being an angel.

Verses 9-11 continue the protest of the disbelievers of the Quraish and others as to why the Qur'an was not sent down in written form on paper and the Messenger is just an ordinary human or not an angel. Allah explains that if the Qur'an were sent down in written form, people would think it is sorcery. If the Messenger were an angel, humans would not be able to follow his way of life. Actually, the disbelievers are just mocking the Messenger as happened to the messengers before him. Therefore, Allah commands the Messenger to invite them to read the history of nations that Allah destroyed because of their mocking of Allah's messengers.

Verses 12-18 explain that the Messenger should teach the disbelievers the reality that Allah is the Creator (Rububiyyatullah) and the Owner of the heavens and earth, Most Merciful, gathering mankind on the Day of Judgment to be reckoned in detail, Owner of all creatures in the night and day, All-Hearing, All-Knowing and so forth. Why should anyone other than Allah be worshipped? He is the One who provides sustenance to mankind. Every man should strive to make Allah the Lord worthy of worship, obeyed and followed by the system of life He created for mankind. Man should fear Him, because He has power over His servants and is All-Wise and Knows all things.

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