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Names

This surah is called Surat Al-An?am. [75] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi?l-Tamyiz, 1/187.
It was narrated from Jubayr that Ibn ?Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: If you want to know about how ignorant the Arabs were, read Surat Al-An?am after the one hundred and thirtieth verse: Losers indeed are those who, in their ignorance, have foolishly slain their children, and have made unlawful food that Allah has provided to them, fabricating lies against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and have not heeded any guidance Al-An?am 6:140. [76] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 3524.

Virtues and characteristics

It was narrated that Ibn ?Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Surat Al-An?am was revealed in Makkah in its entirety at night. Seventy thousand angels came down with it, surrounding it and glorifying Allah out loud. [77] Narrated by Al-Qasim ibn Sallam: Fada?il Al-Qur?an, p. 240; Ibn Ad-Durays: Fada?il Al-Qur?an, 196; At-Tabarani, 12/215, 12930.
This surah contains the most details of any surah in the Qur?an about the Arabs? condition during the Jahiliyyah, and is the harshest in debating with them and arguing with them in order to prove their foolishness. [78] Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 7/125.
It is the surah which makes the most mention of the names of the prophets. [79] Ibn ?Ashur said: In it, the names of eighteen prophets are mentioned, in the passage: That was Our argument that We inspired Ibr?heem [to use] against his people ? and Yoonus and Loot [Al-An?am 6:83-86]. Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 5/17.

Makki or Madani?

Surat Al-An?am is Makki. It was narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [80] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn Taymiyah, Ash-Shinqiti, and Ibn ?Ashur. See: Ibn Taymiyah: Al-Fatawa Al-Kubra, 1/162; Al-?Adhb An-Namir min Majalis Ash-Shinqiti fi?l-Tafsir, 2/362; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 7/121.

Objectives

The most important objectives of Surat Al-An?am include:
Instilling sound creed (?aqidah) and teaching people about their Lord, so that they will become true slaves to Him; establishing proof of the Oneness of Allah, the truthfulness of His Messenger, and that the Day of Resurrection is true. [81] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 5/23.
Debating the polytheists and other innovators, and those who disbelieve in the resurrection and the gathering, and responding to their specious arguments. [82] See: Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 6/383; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 7/125.

Topics

The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-An?am include:
No one deserves to be praised except Allah, because He is the Creator of the worlds; proving that the partners that they associate with Him, such as the idols and the jinn, have no impact or influence on anything, by affirming that Allah is the only one Who created the universe and created humankind and the systems on the basis of which they live and die, by His wisdom and knowledge; declaring Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, to be far above having a child or wife.
Exhorting those who turn away from the verses of the Qur?an and reject the true religion, and warning them lest there befall them what befell the disbelievers who came before them and those who were ungrateful for the blessings of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,; informing them that by their denial they harm no one but themselves; warning them of what they will suffer when their souls are taken, then at the time of Resurrection.
Highlighting the foolishness of the polytheists when they requested the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to show them extraordinary feats (miracles) by way of ridicule; proving them to be wrong in their belief that Allah willed that they should associate others with Him, intending thereby to defeat the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in argument; explaining the true nature of the divine will; affirming the truthfulness of the Qur?an by highlighting the fact that the People of the Book know that it is true.
This surah gives a great deal of evidence and proof that confirms the oneness and might of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,, and that He alone is deserving of worship.
Denouncing the polytheists for disbelieving in the resurrection, and confirming that it will indeed come to pass and that after that, they will suffer punishment, the false gods whom they used to worship will disavow them, and they will regret that; nothing of this worldly life will avail them anything, for they do not call upon Allah except at times of calamity.
This surah offered consolation and reassurance to Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him),and called him to be patient in carrying the burdens of conveying the message without tiring or growing weary; it instructed him to follow the example of the messengers who came before him, who showed patience when faced with the rejection of their people.
Highlighting the wisdom behind Allah?s sending of the messengers, which was to warn people and give them glad tidings; it is not the role of the messengers to tell people what they want to know about matters of the unseen.
Only Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has knowledge of the unseen; He is the only One Who controls and subdues His creation.
The surah explains that those who respond to the call of truth are those who listen and pay heed, and they are the ones whose hearts are spiritually alive. As for those whose hearts are spiritually dead, they do not benefit from exhortation and do not accept guidance; they will stand before Allah and He will requite them for their denial and their evil deeds.
Explanation that what differentiates between people is their fear of Allah (taqwa) and embracing the religion of Allah, and their rejection of what the polytheists prescribed of misguided laws and systems.
Prohibition on sitting with and keeping company with those who mock the verses of Allah.
The command to turn away from the polytheists, and the prohibition on reviling the idols and their worshippers, because that reviling will lead to a greater evil, which is that, out of zeal for their religion and blind following thereof, the polytheists will revile the God of the believers Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,, glorified be He, for He is far above all shortcomings.
Explanation that true piety is not merely depriving oneself of good things; rather it is depriving oneself of the whims and desires that stand between a person and attaining perfection and purity.
Drawing parallels between the situation of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with his people and that of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his father and his people.
The surah speaks of the messengers of Allah to whom Allah gave proof against their people, and the passage that speaks about them concludes with praise of the messengers and confirmation that it is obligatory to follow their example in their attitude and behaviour.
Reminding the ummah of the blessing that Allah sent down to them in the Qur?an, as guidance for them, as He sent down the Book to Musa (peace be upon him); and Allah has made them the last of the righteous nations.
Highlighting the virtue of the Qur?an and the religion of Islam; Allah has granted multiplication of reward to its followers.
Throughout the surah there is rebuking of the polytheists and praise of the believers, and reminders to the latter of the blessings that encompass all of Allah?s creation; the surah also mentions the keys of the unseen.
The conditions of the Arabs during the Jahiliyyah, and how foolish and misguided they were.
The surah discusses prohibitions in Islam; the clear, unambiguous verses of the Qur?an; and commands and prohibitions.
The surah ends with mention of the swiftness of Allah?s punishment to those who deserve it, and His mercy and forgiveness for those who deserve them.

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