Transliteration:( Wa qaaloo koonoo Hoodan aw Nasaaraa tahtadoo; qul bal Millata Ibraaheema Haneefanw wa maa kaana minal mushrikeen )
"And they (the People of the Book) say, 'Be Yahud or Nasara, and you will be guided.' Say (O Muhammad): 'Rather, we follow the religion of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth [269], and he was not among the polytheists [270].'"
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was a true believer, and his religion was free from any adulteration or mix with false beliefs.
The religion of Ibrahim was pristine monotheism, untainted by innovation or idol worship
Just like people value pure gold or unmixed milk, pure faith is equally cherished and honoured
🕊️ Du‘ā: May Allah bless us with such a pure and unshaken faith. Ameen.
This verse directly refutes both the Yahud and Nasara, who:
Claimed to follow Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)
But in practice, indulged in shirk (idol worship) and man-made doctrines
📌 Allah responds:
A true Ibrahimi is one who follows the way of Ibrahim (AS)—and he was not a polytheist
Hence, their claims of association with Ibrahim (AS) are baseless, as idol worship contradicts his pure monotheism.
1. The widespread honour of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS):
Allah has granted Hazrat Ibrahim such universal respect that even followers of other religions claim pride in being associated with him.
2. Noble lineage alone is not enough:
Being from a noble ancestry holds no value if one's actions and beliefs are not like theirs. True guidance is in following the path, not just claiming the name.
3. Resolving religious differences:
When there are differences in opinion, the solution lies in turning to universally respected figures, like the Companions (Sahabah) or authentic Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ.
4. Greatness of a religion is shown by the greatness of its founder:
Allah highlights the honour of Ibrahim (AS) to establish the greatness of his religion, showing that a pure and noble origin reflects in the purity of the faith.
The tafsir of Surah Baqarah verse 134 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Baqarah ayat 133 which provides the complete commentary from verse 133 through 134.
(2:135) They say: “Be Jews,” or “Be Christians.” “Then you will be rightly guided.” Say to them: “No, follow exclusively the way of Abraham who was not one of those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity.”[135]
135. In order to grasp the subtlety, of this remark two things should be borne in mind. First, that in comparison to Islam, the primordial religion, both Judaism and Christianity are later products. The name Judaism, as well as the characteristic features and elaborate body of laws and regulations associated with it. emerged during the third or fourth century, B.C. As for Christianity. in the sense of the body of dogmas and theological doctrines which characterize it, it came into existence long after Jesus (peace be on him). The question that naturally arises is that, if man’s guidance depends on following Judaism or Christianity, how can Abraham and other Prophets and righteous people who are accepted as having been rightly-guided even by the Jews and Christians be considered so when they were born several centuries before the birth of Judaism and Christianity? If they were rightly-guided from whom did they receive their guidance? Obviously their source of guidance and inspiration was neither Judaism nor Christianity since, in their times, these did not exist. So man’s rectitude does not depend on those characteristics which led to the rise of Jewish and Christian particularisms; it rather depends on adopting that universal way to Truth which has guided and inspired men throughout the ages.
Second. the Scriptures of the Jews and Christians attest that Abraham believed that worship, adoration, service and obedience were due to God alone, and that it was his mission to have none associated with God in His attributes and rights. Since polytheistic elements had made inroads into Judaism and Christianity it was obvious that both had strayed from the way of Abraham.
[47]- Those who associate others with Allāh in worship.
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