Surah As-Saffat 37:83
سُورَةُ الصَّافَّاتِ · Meccan · Verse 83 of 182
۞ وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ
Translation
Abraham was of the same faith:
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This brief verse, like a jewel, opens a window from the story of Prophet Nuh to the story of Prophet Ibrahim, connecting these two mighty figures in a profound lineage of faith. Allah, the Exalted, is speaking to us, establishing a timeless truth about His chosen messengers.
A Deep Connection
The verse begins, "وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ" (And indeed, among his party was Abraham). The plain meaning establishes that the "his" refers to Prophet Nuh, whose narrative concludes just before this ayah. The Arabic word "شِيعَتِهِۦ" (shi'atih), translated as "his party" or "followers", might sound like a political term today, but in this context, scholars like Al-Zamakhshari and Al-Jalalayn clarify it to mean those who followed Nuh in the *fundamentals of religion*, in his *path*, and in his *firmness for Allah's religion*. It emphasizes shared core principles, primarily the worship of Allah alone. This connection across centuries, despite different specific laws (sharia), shows that the essence of the divine message is continuous, a single thread of monotheism.
The Power of Emphasis
Notice the powerful emphasis in the wording. The verse starts with "وَإِنَّ" (Wa inna), which means "and indeed" or "certainly," a particle of strong affirmation. This is further reinforced by the "لام الابتداء" (lām al-ibtida), an emphatic "la" before "إِبْرَٰهِيمَ" (Ibrahim), making it "لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ" (la-Ibrahim) meaning "is certainly Abraham." This double emphasis, as Ibn Ashur explains, serves a critical purpose. It's not just to state a fact, but to forcefully counter those who might claim to follow Abraham yet denied the pure monotheistic path taught by Nuh (and later, by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them all). It firmly anchors Abraham within the true legacy of faith, declaring his unwavering commitment to the straight path.
What is Unsaid
The brevity of the statement, simply declaring Abraham as being "of his party," also implies a great deal. It isn't just a genealogical link, but a shared spirit and mission. The Quran does not elaborate on *how* Abraham was of Nuh's party here, leaving the reader to ponder the deep spiritual bond and the common thread of tawhid (monotheism) that united them, despite the vast time separating them. This succinctness invites us to recognize the universal nature of the prophetic message: sincerity to Allah and steadfastness in His path. We are encouraged to reflect on our own place in this continuous lineage of faith, seeking to embody the same pure heart and unwavering commitment to the one God.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah As-Saffat 37:83 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah As-Saffat 37:83 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.