Surah Luqman
Surah Luqman is a Meccan chapter comprising thirty-four verses. This blessed surah was revealed after Surah As-Saffat and is named after the story of Luqman and his son, as articulated in its verses. Luqman is portrayed as a wise and righteous man who imparted moral guidance to his son.
As a Meccan surah, the initial verses discuss the characteristics of a believer in their closeness to Allah (SWT). At another point, it warns about the consequences of mocking the Holy Qur’an and disregarding its teachings, particularly focusing on a merchant who collected tales from Persians and non-Arabs to mislead people from listening to the Qur’an. A significant portion of the chapter includes the wise counsel of Luqman to his son, which serves as divine guidance for Muslims to follow and implement in their lives.
Commands in Surah Luqman
Allah (SWT) states in Surah Luqman: (And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom and said, “Be grateful to Allah.” And whoever is grateful – his gratitude is only for himself; and whoever is ungrateful – then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. And [mention] when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association is great injustice.” And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. 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. O my son, indeed if it be the weight of a mustard seed and it should be within a rock or anywhere in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted. O my son, establish prayer, and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination. 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 your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the braying of donkeys.) Surah Luqman {12 – 19}.
Significance of Command Techniques
The previously mentioned verses exhibit the use of imperative forms and prohibitive expressions in the narrative of Luqman and his son. The commands appear through decisive actions that need to be undertaken, from which we can deduce the following:
- The command “be grateful” is evident in the first verse, emphasizing Allah’s command to Luqman to express gratitude for the wisdom bestowed upon him, aiding him in worship and life.
- In the second verse, the negation particle “do not” emphasizes a firm prohibition against associating partners with Allah, underlining the injustice such actions bring to oneself and the potential punishment from Allah.
- Luqman advises his son to honor his parents, reminding him of the sacrifices made by his mother during pregnancy and upbringing. Thus, the duty to be kind to parents, as seen in the commands, is juxtaposed with the prohibition of disobedience in wrongful contexts. This serves as a profound reminder to Muslims of the value of parenthood; however, allegiance to parents should neither contradict adherence to Allah’s commands nor entail any association with Him.
- The command to “establish prayer” illustrates the clear instruction to observe prayer and engage in promoting good while discouraging wrongdoing.
- The advice to “be patient” pertains to enduring predicaments, alongside the directive to refrain from arrogance and the encouragement of moderation in interactions and physical presence.
- Lowering one’s voice is highlighted as a command to avoid loudness, equating raised voices to the braying of donkeys, which is a sound disdained by Allah.
- Furthermore, in verse 33, Allah addresses humanity collectively with commands to be God-conscious and mindful of the Day of Judgment through the imperative forms of “fear” and “beware.”