Sura Luqman

Luqman is the 31st sura of the Qur’an, named after a sage or prophet ‘Luqman’, known as the wise, men-tioned in verses 12–19, in which he conveys wisdom to his son. The sura belongs to the Meccan period and comprises 34 verses, 548 words, 2,110 letters, and 4 segments. It is the 57th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Saffat. It begins with three Mysterious Letters of the Holy Qur’an and announces the following verses are from the Wise Book. The sura portrays Luqman as being granted wisdom (al-hikma) by God who then counsels his son to remain a monotheist, worshipping Allah alone, and always be grateful to His Lord. The sura further commands believers to honour their parents, to be courteous to them, fulfilling their duties to God, encouraging what is good, forbidding what is evil and remaining patient during ca-lamities. It further urges people to be humble and moderate in speech and action.

In these teachings, one can see the essential components of the Qur’anic social message; of maintaining familial ties, community support, and maintaining a spiritual relationship with God. It further mentions that God’s power is apparent in the creation of the pillarless Heavens and His provision of life-giving water to earth. God Almighty’s words are infinite and could not be exhausted even if all the trees on earth became pens dipped in seven seas (of ink). In the end, the sura warns about the Day of Judgement, when no parent will benefit their child, nor will a child benefit their parent. The sura concludes by mentioning the five keys of the Unseen, and emphasises the great attributes of God Almighty as the All-Knowing and All-Aware.