Al-Qur'an Surah Al-An'am Verse 161

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Say, “As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, the straight religion, the faith of Ibrāhīm who was upright and was not of those who associate partners with Allah.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Surely my Lord has guided me to the Straight Path, a perfect way, the faith of Abraham, the upright, who was not one of the polytheists.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

Say [O Prophet], “Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the faith of Abraham, inclining to true faith, and he was not one of those who associate partners with Allah.”

A. J. Arberry

Say: 'As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the creed of Abraham, a man of pure faith; he was no idolater.'

Abdul Haleem

Say, ‘My Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the faith of Abraham, a man of pure faith. He was not a polytheist.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Say thou as for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the faith of Ibrahim, the upright, and he was not of the associaters.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Say; "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah."

Abul Ala Maududi

Say: 'As for me, my Lord has guided me on to a straight way, a right religion, the way of Abraham who adopted it in exclusive devotion to Allah, and he was not of those who associated others with Allah in His divinity.'

Ahmed Ali

Tell them: "My Lord has directed me to a path that is straight, a supreme law, the creed of Abraham the upright who was not an idolater."

Ahmed Raza Khan

Say, “Indeed my Lord has guided me to the Straight Path; the right religion, (of) the community of Ibrahim who was free from all falsehood; and was not a polytheist.”

Ali Quli Qarai

Say, ‘Indeed my Lord has guided me to a straight path, the upright religion, the creed of Abraham, a Hanif, and he was not one of the polytheists.’

Ali Ünal

Say: "Surely my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, being an upright Religion leading to prosperity (in both worlds), the way of Abraham based on pure faith (free from unbelief, associating partners with God and hypocrisy). He was never of those associating partners with God."

Amatul Rahman Omar

Say, `As for me, surely my Lord has guided me to the exact straight path, the ever true faith, the creed of Abraham the upright, and he was not of the polytheists.´

English Literal

Say: "That I (E), my Lord (had) guided me to (a) straight/direct road/way (a) straight/valuable 92religion, Abraham`s religion/faith, Unifier of God , and he was not from the sharers/takers of partners (with God)."

Faridul Haque

Say, “Indeed my Lord has guided me to the Straight Path; the right religion, (of) the community of Ibrahim who was free from all falsehood; and was not a polytheist.”

Hamid S. Aziz

Say, "As for me, my Lord has guided me unto the Straight Way, a right religion, the faith of Abraham, the upright, for he was not of the idolaters."

Hilali & Khan

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), Hanifa [i.e. the true Islamic Monotheism - to believe in One God (Allah i.e. to worship none but Allah, Alone)] and he was not of Al-Mushrikun (see V. 2:105)."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Whoever brings a good deed will have tenfold like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, will be recompensed only with the like of it, and they shall not be wronged.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Say: Surely, (as for) me, my Lord has guided me to the right path; (to) a most right religion, the faith of Ibrahim the upright one, and he was not of the polytheists.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Say: Lo! As for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the community of Abraham, the upright, who was no idolater.

Muhammad Sarwar

(Muhammad), tell them, "My Lord has guided me to the right path, a well established religion and the upright tradition of Abraham who was not a pagan".

Qaribullah & Darwish

Say: 'My Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, an upright religion, the creed of Abraham, he was upright, not from the idolaters'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Say: "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan (monotheism) and he was not of the Mushrikin."

Wahiduddin Khan

Say, "My Lord has guided me to a straight path, and to an upright religion, the religion of Abraham the upright, who was not of those who associate partners with God."

Talal Itani

Say, “My Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the creed of Abraham the Monotheist, who was not a polytheist.”

Tafsir jalalayn

Say; `As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path (il sirtin mustaqm is substituted by [the following, dnan qiyaman]) a right religion, an upright [one], the creed of Abraham, a hanf; and he was not of the idolaters'.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Islam is the Straight Path

Allah commands His prophet to;

قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا

وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ



Say;"Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan (monotheism) and he was not of the Mushrikin."

Allah commands His Prophet, the chief of the Messengers, to convey the news of being guided to Allah's straight path. This path is neither wicked, nor deviant,
دِينًا قِيَمًا
(a right religion...) that is, established on firm grounds,
مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا

وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
(The religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan and he was not of the Mushrikin).

Allah said in similar Ayat,

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ

And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who deludes himself! (2;130)

and,

وَجَـهِدُوا فِى اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَـدِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَـكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكمْ فِى الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَهِيمَ

And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive. He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship;it is the religion of your father Ibrahim. (22;78)

and,

إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَـنِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

شَاكِراً لانْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَـهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

وَءاتَيْنَـهُ فِى الْدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَأ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation), obedient to Allah, a Hanif, and he was not one of the Mushrikin.

(He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.

Then, We have sent the revelation to you (saying);"Follow the religion of Ibrahim, (he was a) Hanif, and he was not of the Mushrikin." (16;120-123)

Ordering the Prophet to follow the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanifiyyah, does not mean that Prophet Ibrahim reached more perfection in it than our Prophet. Rather, our Prophet perfectly established the religion and it was completed for him; and none before him reached this level of perfection. This is why he is the Final Prophet, the chief of all the Children of Adam who holds the station of praise and glory, the honor of intercession on the Day of Resurrection. All creation (on that Day) will seek him, even Ibrahim the friend of Allah, peace be upon him (to request the beginning of Judgment).

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"The Messenger of Allah was asked, `Which religion is the best with Allah, the Exalted?'

He said,

الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ السَّمْحَة
Al-Hanifiyyah As-Samhah (the easy monotheism)."
The Command for Sincerity in Worship

Allah said next,

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ