Revealed entirely in one sweeping descent during the late Makkan period, Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle) represents a profound return to the theological roots of faith, serving as a powerful and uncompromising manifesto of pure Islamic monotheism (Tawhid). It was sent down to completely dismantle the deeply entrenched polytheistic beliefs and superstitious practices of the Quraysh, particularly their baseless taboos and rituals surrounding livestock and agriculture. Instead of focusing on legal rulings, this chapter appeals directly to the human intellect and soul, urging people to observe the magnificent signs of God's Oneness embedded in the natural world—from the splitting of the seed and the falling of a leaf to the alternation of day and night. It beautifully recounts the intellectual and spiritual journey of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) as he logically rejected the worship of celestial bodies to submit solely to the Creator of the universe. By systematically refuting the concept of associating partners with God (Shirk) and establishing the absolute sovereignty of Allah over life, death, and provision, the Surah demands that believers strip away all falsehoods and dedicate their prayers, sacrifices, lives, and deaths exclusively to the Lord of all the worlds.
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi allathee khalaqa alssamawati waalarda wajaAAala alththulumati waalnnoora thumma allatheena kafaroo birabbihim yaAAdiloona
Translation
Praise be to God, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe equals to their Lord
Transliteration
Huwa allathee khalaqakum min teenin thumma qada ajalan waajalun musamman AAindahu thumma antum tamtaroona
Translation
It is He who created you from clay, then decided a term—a term determined by him. Yet you doubt
Transliteration
Wahuwa Allahu fee alssamawati wafee alardi yaAAlamu sirrakum wajahrakum wayaAAlamu ma taksiboona
Translation
He is God in the heavens and the earth. He knows what you keep secret and what you make public; and He knows what you earn
Transliteration
Wama tateehim min ayatin min ayati rabbihim illa kanoo AAanha muAArideena
Translation
Not one of their Lord’s signs comes to them, but they turn away from it
Transliteration
Faqad kaththaboo bialhaqqi lamma jaahum fasawfa yateehim anbao ma kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
They denied the truth when it has come to them; but soon will reach them the news of what they used to ridicule
Transliteration
Alam yaraw kam ahlakna min qablihim min qarnin makkannahum fee alardi ma lam numakkin lakum waarsalna alssamaa AAalayhim midraran wajaAAalna alanhara tajree min tahtihim faahlaknahum bithunoobihim waanshana min baAAdihim qarnan akhareena
Translation
Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them? We had established them on earth more firmly than We established you, and We sent the clouds pouring down abundant rain on them, and We made rivers flow beneath them. But We destroyed them for their sins, and established other civilizations after them
Transliteration
Walaw nazzalna AAalayka kitaban fee qirtasin falamasoohu biaydeehim laqala allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun
Translation
Had We sent down upon you a book on paper, and they had touched it with their hands, those who disbelieve would have said, “This is nothing but plain magic.”
Transliteration
Waqaloo lawla onzila AAalayhi malakun walaw anzalna malakan laqudiya alamru thumma la yuntharoona
Translation
And they say, “Why was an angel not sent down to him.” Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been settled, and they would not have been reprieved
Transliteration
Walaw jaAAalnahu malakan lajaAAalnahu rajulan walalabasna AAalayhim ma yalbisoona
Translation
Had We made him an angel, We would have made him a man, and confused them when they are already confused
Transliteration
Walaqadi istuhzia birusulin min qablika fahaqa biallatheena sakhiroo minhum ma kanoo bihi yastahzioona
Translation
Messengers before you were ridiculed, but those who mocked them became besieged by what they ridiculed
Transliteration
Qul seeroo fee alardi thumma onthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena
Translation
Say, “Travel the earth and observe the final fate of the deniers.”
Transliteration
Qul liman ma fee alssamawati waalardi qul lillahi kataba AAala nafsihi alrrahmata layajmaAAannakum ila yawmi alqiyamati la rayba feehi allatheena khasiroo anfusahum fahum la yuminoona
Translation
Say, “To whom belongs what is in the heavens and the earth?” Say, “To God.” He has inscribed for Himself mercy. He will gather you to the Day of Resurrection, in which there is no doubt. Those who lost their souls do not believe
Transliteration
Walahu ma sakana fee allayli waalnnahari wahuwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
Translation
To Him belongs whatever rests in the night and the day. He is the Hearing, the Knowing
Transliteration
Qul aghayra Allahi attakhithu waliyyan fatiri alssamawati waalardi wahuwa yutAAimu wala yutAAamu qul innee omirtu an akoona awwala man aslama wala takoonanna mina almushrikeena
Translation
Say, “Shall I take for myself a protector other than God, Originator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds and is not fed?” Say, “I am instructed to be the first of those who submit.” And do not be among the idolaters
Transliteration
Qul innee akhafu in AAasaytu rabbee AAathaba yawmin AAatheemin
Translation
Say, “I fear, should I defy my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.”
Transliteration
Man yusraf AAanhu yawmaithin faqad rahimahu wathalika alfawzu almubeenu
Translation
Whoever is spared on that Day—He had mercy on him. That is the clear victory
Transliteration
Wain yamsaska Allahu bidurrin fala kashifa lahu illa huwa wain yamsaska bikhayrin fahuwa AAala kulli shayin qadeerun
Translation
If God touches you with adversity, none can remove it except He. And if He touches you with good—He is Capable of everything
Transliteration
Wahuwa alqahiru fawqa AAibadihi wahuwa alhakeemu alkhabeeru
Translation
He is the Supreme over His servants. He is the Wise, the Expert
Transliteration
Qul ayyu shayin akbaru shahadatan quli Allahu shaheedun baynee wabaynakum waoohiya ilayya hatha alquranu lionthirakum bihi waman balagha ainnakum latashhadoona anna maAAa Allahi alihatan okhra qul la ashhadu qul innama huwa ilahun wahidun wainnanee bareeon mimma tushrikoona
Translation
Say, “What thing is more solemn in testimony?” Say, “God is Witness between you and me. This Quran was revealed to me, that I may warn you with it, and whomever it may reach. Do you indeed testify that there are other gods with God?” Say, “I myself do not testify.” Say, “He is but One God, and I am innocent of your idolatry.”
Transliteration
Allatheena ataynahumu alkitaba yaAArifoonahu kama yaAArifoona abnaahum allatheena khasiroo anfusahum fahum la yuminoona
Translation
Those to whom We have given the Book recognize it as they recognize their own children; but those who have lost their souls do not believe