Surah Luqman in English Translation with Explain

Surah Luqman (Arabic: لقمان) is the 31st chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 34 verses. The surah is named after Luqman, a wise man who is praised for his wisdom and advice, which he shares with his son. The chapter touches upon themes of wisdom, the importance of gratitude, monotheism, righteousness, and the responsibilities of parents, particularly fathers. It also emphasizes the importance of relying on God and acknowledging His greatness.

General Themes of Surah Luqman:

Luqman’s Wisdom: The surah highlights the wisdom of Luqman and shares some of his key advice, particularly to his son.
Monotheism and the Worship of Allah: It emphasizes the oneness of Allah and warns against associating partners with Him (Shirk).
Importance of Gratitude: Gratitude towards Allah for His blessings and towards parents for their care is a significant theme.
Guidance on Morality: It teaches good behavior, respect for parents, humility, and righteousness.
Responsibility and Accountability: Emphasizing that everyone is accountable for their actions, with the reminder that everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Allah.

English Translation and Explanation of Key Verses:

1. Verse 1-2:

"Alif Lam Mim. These are the verses of the Wise Book." These letters (Alif Lam Mim) are among the Muqattaʿat, which are disjointed letters found in various surahs. The surah is described as containing "the verses of the Wise Book," which refers to the Qur'an, highlighting the wisdom embedded within it.

2. Verse 12:

"And We certainly gave Luqman wisdom, saying, 'Be grateful to Allah; and whoever is grateful is only grateful for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever denies His favor – then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.'"
This verse points out that Allah granted wisdom to Luqman. He was instructed to be grateful to Allah, as gratitude benefits the individual, not Allah. The verse stresses that Allah is free from need, and denying His blessings does not diminish His greatness, but it harms the individual who refuses to acknowledge God's favors.

3. Verse 13:

"And [recall] when Luqman said to his son while he was advising him, 'O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association with Him is great injustice.'"
In this verse, Luqman advises his son to avoid shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the gravest injustice. This teaching underlines the importance of monotheism, the central concept of Islam, and is a reminder of the wrongfulness of polytheism. It teaches that associating others with Allah contradicts the fundamental principle of worshiping only one God.

4. Verse 14:

"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination."
This verse highlights the great sacrifice and effort that mothers undergo during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It urges gratitude not only towards Allah but also towards parents, particularly mothers, who endure significant hardship in raising their children. The verse reminds that ultimately, everyone will return to Allah for judgment.

5. Verse 15:

"But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do."
Here, Luqman advises his son that even if his parents were to ask him to commit shirk, he should not obey them. The verse emphasizes the importance of loyalty to Allah above all, even if one's parents demand something contrary to His commandments. The verse also reminds that every individual will be held accountable before Allah.

6. Verse 17:

"O my son, establish prayer and enjoin what is good and forbid what is disreputable and endure [with patience] whatever befalls you. Indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination."
This verse shares further wisdom from Luqman to his son, encouraging him to uphold righteousness, perform the five daily prayers, and actively promote good while forbidding evil. Patience in the face of difficulties is also emphasized as a crucial quality. This guidance forms the foundation for a righteous and disciplined life.

7. Verse 18-19:

"And do not turn your cheek in contempt toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. And be moderate in your pace and lower to the earth your voice. Indeed, the most disagreeable of voices is the voice of donkeys."
These verses provide guidance on maintaining humility. Luqman advises his son to avoid arrogance and boastfulness. Pride, especially in one's mannerisms or speech, is condemned, and a modest, humble attitude is encouraged. The surah stresses the importance of being aware of one's behavior and treating others with respect.

8. Verse 20:

"Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth and has completed for you His favors, both apparent and hidden? Yet, among people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book."
This verse invites reflection on the vastness and order of the universe, which has been subjected to humanity’s benefit by Allah. It also highlights that Allah has completed His favors upon humans. However, despite this, some people argue about Allah without knowledge or proper understanding, and this ignorance is condemned.

9. Verse 22:

"And whoever submits his face [in Islam] to Allah while he is a doer of good – then he has certainly grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to Allah is the outcome of all matters."
This verse emphasizes the concept of submission to Allah, or Islam, as the correct path. It also stresses that those who perform good deeds while sincerely submitting to Allah are holding onto the most reliable and secure support. This submission leads to ultimate success and return to Allah, who is the final judge of all matters.

10. Verse 34 (Final Verse):

"Indeed, Allah – He is the Knower of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. Indeed, He is the Most Exalted, the Most Great."
The final verse of the surah reaffirms Allah's knowledge of everything in the universe, whether hidden or seen. His greatness and supremacy are emphasized, reminding believers of His ultimate authority over all creation.

Key Lessons from Surah Luqman:

Gratitude to Allah and Parents: Luqman teaches his son, and by extension all believers, the importance of being grateful to Allah for His blessings and to parents for their care and sacrifices. The surah emphasizes the reciprocal nature of gratitude.
Monotheism: The surah stresses the importance of not associating anyone or anything with Allah. Shirk (polytheism) is described as a great injustice, reminding Muslims that God’s oneness must be upheld above all else.
Moral and Ethical Conduct: The surah highlights key moral principles: kindness and respect towards others, avoiding arrogance, promoting good deeds, forbidding evil, and being patient during trials. These behaviors lead to a righteous and fulfilling life.
Prayer and Patience: Luqman advises his son to establish regular prayer, encourage good behavior, and show patience in the face of challenges. These virtues are the foundation of a strong and spiritual character.
Humility and Modesty: The surah teaches the importance of humility and advises against boasting or pride. It emphasizes that a person's behavior, speech, and mannerisms should reflect humility.
Reflecting on the Creation: The surah encourages contemplation on the creation of the heavens and the earth, which serve as signs of God's power and favor. Recognizing the blessings in nature and the universe helps deepen faith and gratitude.
Accountability: The surah reminds that everyone is ultimately accountable to Allah for their actions, and that all matters return to Him for judgment. This reinforces the need to live with a sense of responsibility and awareness of the Hereafter.

Conclusion:

Surah Luqman is a surah filled with wisdom, especially the advice of the wise man Luqman to his son. The surah underscores the significance of gratitude, faith in Allah's oneness, righteous conduct, and humility. It encourages reflection on Allah’s blessings, the importance of prayer, and maintaining good morals. Through Luqman’s teachings, the surah provides practical guidance for believers on how to live a life of faith, integrity, and humility, with the reminder that all affairs belong to Allah, and we will ultimately be accountable for our actions.

Surah Luqman in English Translation with Explain