Surah Ibrahim 14:36
سُورَةُ إِبۡرَاهِيمَ · Meccan · Verse 36 of 52
رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّى ۖ وَمَنْ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
Translation
Lord, the [idols] have led many people astray! Anyone who follows me is with me, but as for anyone who disobeys me- You are surely forgiving and merciful.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
This verse opens a profound prayer from Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, addressed to Allah. It reflects his deep concern for humanity and his unwavering commitment to pure monotheism, a central theme in his life and mission. The tone is one of humble supplication, acknowledging Allah's absolute power and mercy.
A Prophet's Heartfelt Plea
In this prayer, Prophet Ibrahim expresses his worry about the powerful influence of idols. He says, "My Lord, indeed they (إِنَّهُنَّ – *innahunna*) have led astray many among the people." Here, "they" refers to the idols (*al-asnam*). While idols are inanimate, they are spoken of as if they actively mislead because they become the *cause* or *means* by which people deviate from the straight path. Prophet Ibrahim had personally witnessed the widespread polytheism of his people, including his own father, and understood the profound damage it inflicted on human souls, drawing them away from the truth. His prayer here is a cry of genuine concern, not just for his own progeny, but for all of humanity caught in the trap of idolatry.
Defining True Followership
He then clearly delineates what it means to be a true follower: "So whoever follows me, he is indeed of me (فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّى – *faman tabi'ani fa'innahu minni*)." This isn't about bloodline alone; it’s about spiritual adherence. To "follow me" means to adopt his pure belief in the Oneness of Allah and to abandon the worship of anything else. It's a declaration that those who uphold this core principle of monotheism are united with him in faith and purpose, regardless of their lineage. This statement draws a clear line between those who submit to Allah alone and those who attribute partners to Him.
Boundless Mercy and Hope
Finally, with immense compassion, Prophet Ibrahim turns to Allah regarding those who might stray: "and whoever disobeys me – then indeed You are Forgiving and Merciful (وَمَنْ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ – *wa man asani fa'innaka Ghafurun Rahim*)." This phrase reveals the vastness of Allah's attributes. Scholars like al-Baghawi suggest this might refer to disobedience in matters *less* than polytheism, or to those who eventually repent. Mufti Shafi explains that Prophet Ibrahim, out of his profound mercy, expresses hope in Allah's boundless forgiveness and mercy, even for disbelievers, without explicitly *asking* Allah to forgive their polytheism, as that is Allah's sole prerogative. It’s an act of leaving their ultimate fate to Allah's all-encompassing knowledge and justice. This expression of profound prophetic compassion is mirrored in a famous narration from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, reported by al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, where Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, recited this very verse (along with a similar prayer by Prophet Isa) and then raised his hands, weeping, "O Allah, my Ummah! O Allah, my Ummah!" Allah then assured him that He would please him concerning his Ummah and not displease him. This shows the continuity of prophetic concern for their communities, always rooted in hope in Allah's mercy.
Sources: al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ibn Kathir, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ibrahim 14:36 is discussed in 7 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ibrahim 14:36 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.