Surah 6: The Cattle

Surah 6: The Cattle - Overview

Verses	Description
6:1-30	God reigns in heaven and on earth; there is a Hereafter
6:31-60	Life of this world is empty; what is serious is the Hereafter; God holds the keys of the Unseen
6:61-82	God's loving care encompasses us; it is His protection we should seek, and not that of anyone else
6:83-110	Revelation in all ages; Qur'an a blessing and confirmation; Signs of God in the daily pageants of Nature
6:111-129	Rebels against God are deceived and deceive each other; let us trust in God
6:130-150	Degrees in good and evil deeds; avoid superstition and excess
6:151-165	God's commands are not irrational taboos, but based on moral law

Introduction

This is a Surah of the late Makkan period. The greater part of it was revealed entire. Its place in the traditional order of arrangement is justified by logical considerations. We have already had the spiritual history of mankind, a discussion of the earlier revelations for the outer life of the new Community, and the points in which the Jews and Christians failed to maintain the central doctrine of Islam -- the Unity of God. The next step now is to expound this doctrine in relation to Pagan Arabia.

Summary

1- The nature of God and the method by which He reveals Himself are first expounded, and the weakness of Paganism is exposed. (6:1-30)

The End of All Things [6:1-30] God did not separate Light from Darkness; He reigns not only in heaven but also on earth; Mercy is His Law; to Him shall we all return at the end of all things. How can we then depart from truth and forge lies against Him? It is folly to say that there is nothing beyond this our present life.

Beyond This Life [6:31-60] The life of this world is but empty; what is serious is the life hereafter. The teacher of God's truth is not baulked by frivolous objections or insults or persecution. The wicked will be cut off to the last remnant. God's wisdom pervades the whole of His Creation, and in His hands are the keys of the Unseen, and the secrets of all that we see.

3- God's working in His world and His constant care and guidance should give a clue to His unity as it did to Abraham when he argued with those who worshipped false gods. (6:61-82)

Loving Care [6:61-82] God's loving care doth encompass us around throughout life, and delivers us from dangers by land and sea. He is the only Protector: how can we then forget Him or run after things that are mere creations of His, and shall perish -- while He is the Eternal God, adored by Abraham and all the prophets?

Good Men and True [6:83-110] The good men and true, who succeeded Abraham, received the gifts of revelation and guidance, and kept alive God's Message, which now is proclaimed in the Qur'an, in which is blessing and confirmation of all that went before. In the daily pageants of Nature -- the dawn and the restful night, the sun, the moon, the stars that guide the mariner in distant seas, the rain-clouds pouring abundance, and the fruits that delight the heart of man -- can ye not read Signs of God? No vision can comprehend Him, yet He knoweth and comprehendeth all.

5- The obstinate and the rebellious are deceived; they should be avoided. Though they turn for assistance to each other, they will receive due punishment. (6:111-129)

The Inmost Recesses [6:111-129] Those in obstinate rebellion against God are merely deceived and deceive each other. Leave them alone, but trust and obey God openly and in the inmost recesses of your heart. The plots of the wicked are but plots against their own souls.

Degrees of Good and Evil [6:130-150] God punishes not mere shortcoming; there are degrees in good and evil deeds. God is Merciful, but His Plan is sure, and none can stand in its way. We must avoid all superstition, and all excess, and humbly ask for His guidance.

7- The better course is to follow the straight Way, the Way of God, as directed in the Qur'an, with unity and the full dedication of our lives. (6:151-165)

The Straight Way [6:151-165] God's commands are not irrational taboos, but based on the moral law, an conformable to reason. His Way is the straight Way, of justice and truth. In unity and faith must we dedicate all our life to His service, and His alone, to Whom we shall return.