Juz 21: Al-ʿAnkabūt 46 to Al-Aḥzāb 30
Section 10 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
10. Lessons from Luqman's Wisdom
Surah Luqman presents one of the Quran's most beautiful examples of parental guidance and wisdom. Although Luqman (peace be upon him) was not a prophet, his wisdom was so exemplary that Allah immortalized his advice to his son in the Quran:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
“We gave wisdom to Luqman, (and said): 'Be grateful to Allah.' Whoever is grateful is grateful for his own benefit, and whoever is ungrateful, then Allah is free of all needs, worthy of all praise." (Luqman 31:12)”
The verse establishes that wisdom itself requires gratitude. Luqman's counsel to his son begins with the foundation of all wisdom—recognition of Allah's unity and rejection of polytheism:
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
“And when Luqman said to his son, while he was counseling him: 'O my son, do not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, associating partners with Allah is the greatest wrongdoing.'" (Luqman 31:13)”
Luqman's advice encompasses five fundamental principles that form a comprehensive framework for righteous living:
First, he emphasizes avoiding shirk (polytheism), calling it the gravest form of injustice. This establishes the correct theological foundation without which no other virtues can be properly developed.
Second, he emphasizes filial piety and respect for parents, even while maintaining unwavering commitment to monotheistic belief:
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا
“And if they force you to associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. But accompany them in the world with kindness." (Luqman 31:15)”
This balanced approach teaches that religious conviction must not become a pretext for disrespecting parents, even when they hold misguided beliefs.
Third, Luqman emphasizes consciousness of divine omniscience:
يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O my son, even if it be something as small as a grain of mustard seed, even if it be in a rock or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah shall bring it forth. Surely, Allah is All-Fine, All-Aware." (Luqman 31:16)”
Fourth, he emphasizes religious observance, moral activism, and perseverance:
يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ و
“My dear son, establish Salāh , and bid the Fair and forbid the Unfair, and observe patience on what befalls you. Surely, this is among the matters of determination;” (31:17)