An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 5

Surah Al-‘An’am, Chapter 6, Introduction

Introduction to the Surah

In The Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

This Surah is the sixty-ninth Surah that was revealed to the Prophet (S) in Mecca. As the Traditions of Ahlul-Bayt (as) indicate, all the verses of this Surah were revealed at the same time.

Similar to other Meccan Suras, the basic aim of this Surah is inviting people to the triple principals of unity of Allah*,* Prophecy, and Resurrection, but most of all, it emphasizes on monotheism and opposing paganism and idolatry.

Paying attention carefully to the contents of the verses of this Surah can remove the soul of hypocrisy and disperse from among Muslims, and cause the ears to be hearing, the eyes to be clear-sighted, and the hearts (minds) to be knowledgeable.

About the virtue of this Surah, in the Islamic traditions, it is cited that when this Surah was revealed, seventy thousand angels were taking after it. And that every believer who recites it, (because of its light, his soul and self may be satiated from the spring of monotheism and) all those angels will ask forgiveness for that person.[^1]

Also, 'Ayyashi himself has narrated from 'Abi-Basir that Imam Sadiq (as) said: "Surah Al-'An'am was revealed at the same time while seventy thousand angels were respectfully accompanying it, because there has mentioned the name of Allah in seventy occurrences of it. If people knew how much virtue there lies in its recitation, they would never leave it out."

Then Imam (as) continued saying: "Whoever is in want of a requirement from Allah and he desires it to be granted, he should establish four units (rak'at) of prayer consisting of At-Fatihat-ul-Kitab and Surah Al-'An'am. Then when he finishes the recitation of the Surah, he should recite the following supplication:

O' The Generous! O' The Generous! O' The Generous!

O' The Great! O' The Great O' The Great!

O' Greater than any great!

O' The Hearer of supplications!

O' He Whom nights and days do not change!

Blessing and peace be upon Muhammad and his descendents!

May You have mercy upon my weakness, my poverty, my neediness, and my wretchedness!

O' He Who had mercy upon Jacob, the elder, while He returned Yusef, his dear one, to him!

O' He Who had mercy on Job after his long trial (of affliction)!

O' He Who had mercy upon Muhammad and Who sheltered him, the orphan!

And Who assisted him against tyrants of Quraysh and their false deities, and gave him authority upon them!

O' Helper! O' Helper! O' Helper!

"By Allah*!* If you recite this supplication and ask Allah for your whole needs, He will bestow (them to) you." [^2]

Ali-ibn-'Ibrahim has narrated from Hadrat Rida (as), the eighth Imam, who said

"Surah Al-'An'am was sent down at the same time and seventy thousand angels accompanied it with the sound of glorification, exaltation and proclamation of His greatness. Whoever recites this Surah, angels will give glory (unto Allah) for him until the Resurrection Day."[^3]

[^1]: Bihar-ul-'Anwar, Vol. 91, P. 348

[^2]: Tafsir by 'Ayyashi, Vol. 1, P. 353 - Tafsir-ul-Burhan, Vol. 1, P. 514

[^3]: Tafsir by Ali-ibn-'Ibrahim