Surah An-Nahl — Verse 123

Word Meanings:

• Millah (مِلَّة): The religion, creed, or way of life followed by a person or community.
• Hanif (حَنِيفًا): One who turns away from all false religions and inclines solely towards the worship of Allah alone, in a state of pure monotheism (Tawheed).

Tafsir (Explanation):

After Allah mentioned the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his noble call to monotheism, He now addresses the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), with a divine command that connects his mission to that of his great forefather: *"Then We revealed to you, O Messenger, to follow the religion of Ibrahim, inclining wholly towards the truth."*

This is a profound directive from Allah to His beloved Prophet — and through him, to the entire Muslim Ummah — to adhere to the pure, unadulterated faith of Ibrahim. This faith is none other than Islam itself: complete submission to Allah, sincere worship of Him alone, and unwavering devotion without any trace of polytheism. The command to "follow" here means to embrace this path firmly, to remain steadfast upon it, and to never deviate from its principles, whether in matters of belief, worship, or daily conduct.

The word *Hanif* beautifully describes the state of Ibrahim's heart — he turned away from all forms of falsehood, from the idolatry of his people, and from every corrupted belief, directing his entire being towards Allah alone. This is the essence of Islam: a pure, untainted submission that rejects all partners with Allah and embraces His oneness with complete sincerity.

Allah then clarifies a critical point: *"And he was not of the polytheists."* This statement serves as a decisive refutation of those who falsely claimed Ibrahim for themselves — whether the pagan Arabs who associated partners with Allah while claiming to follow his ways, or the People of the Book who disputed over his religion. Ibrahim was never a polytheist; rather, he was the ultimate example of a monotheist, a leader for all those who worship Allah alone.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, this verse carries a timeless message for every one of us. Allah is telling us that the path of Ibrahim is the path of truth — a path that has remained unchanged throughout history, from the time of Ibrahim to the time of Muhammad (peace be upon them both). It is the path of pure monotheism, of sincerity in worship, and of complete devotion to Allah.

Today, as you read these words, know that you have been blessed with the same guidance that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The door of mercy is open before you — all you need to do is embrace this pure faith, just as Ibrahim did. Turn your heart away from everything that distracts you from Allah, and direct it towards Him alone. This is the key to true peace, lasting happiness, and eternal success.

The beauty of Islam is that it is not a new religion — it is the original message of all the prophets, culminating in the final revelation to Muhammad (peace be upon him). By following this path, you are joining the ranks of Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and all the righteous servants of Allah throughout history. What greater honor could there be than to walk in the footsteps of the prophets?

So let this verse inspire you to purify your faith, to renew your commitment to Allah, and to live your life as Ibrahim did — with unwavering devotion, complete trust in Allah, and a heart free from all forms of shirk. This is the path to Allah's pleasure, and this is the path to eternal paradise.