The Prophets

Al Anbiya

Verses

112

Revelation

Makki

Period

Middle Makkan

Surah No.

21 / 114

Overview

Surah Al-Anbiya moves rapidly through the stories of numerous prophets to establish the unity of the prophetic message throughout history. It mentions Ibrahim, Lut, Nuh, Dawud, Sulayman, Ayyub, Ismail, Idris, Dhul-Kifl, Yunus, Zakariyya, Yahya, and Maryam with Isa. The surah emphasises that all prophets called to the same essential message of monotheism and submission to Allah, and that the earth shall be inherited by the righteous.

أسباب النزول

Occasion of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)

Revealed during the middle Makkan period when the Quraysh were intensifying their rejection and mockery. The rapid succession of prophets was meant to show that the rejection of the Prophet Muhammad was part of a long pattern, and that the righteous have always ultimately prevailed. Several verses address specific Qurayshi objections: their claim the Prophet was a poet, a madman, or a sorcerer.

Key Themes

The unity of the prophetic message across historyStories of multiple prophets in brief successionAll prophets were human beings, not godsThe Hour is approaching while people are heedlessThe prayer of Yunus in the belly of the whaleThe earth will be inherited by the righteousThe nature of the universe as created and purposeful

Notable Verses

21:87

“And Dhun-Nun (Yunus), when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree upon him. Then he called out within the darknesses: There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”

The prayer of Yunus from inside the whale (Du'a Yunus) is one of the most celebrated supplications in the Quran. The Prophet said anyone who makes this prayer sincerely will be answered by Allah.