al-Anbiya’ is the 21st sura of the Qur’an. The sura derives its name from Qur’anic description of the greatly revered Prophets (peace be upon them). It belongs to the Meccan period and comprises 112 verses, 1,168 words, 4,870 letters, and 7 segments. It is the 73rd sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura Ibrahim. This sura includes a detailed account of Prophets Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aron [peace be upon both of them]), who were given the Torah; Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham [peace be upon him]), whom pagans attempt to burn to death; Prophet Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya‘qub (Jacob [peace be upon both of them]); Prophet Lut (Lot [peace be upon him]); Prophet Nuh (Noah [peace be upon him]); Prophets Dawud (David) and Sulayman (Soloman [peace be upon both of them]); Prophet Ayyub (Job [peace be upon him]); Prophet Isma‘il (Ishmael [peace be upon him]); Prophet Idris (Enoch [peace be upon him]); Prophet Dhu al-Kifl (peace be upon him); Prophet Dhu al-Nun (Jonah [peace be upon him]); Prophets Zakariyya (Zachariah) and Yahya (John [peace be upon both of them]); and Prophet ‘Isa’ (Jesus) and his mother Maryam (Mary [peace be upon both of them]) who guarded her chastity.

The chapter describes an account of these Messengers and Prophets (peace be upon them) and concludes that they all had only one religion, existed as one community, and believed in only One Lord. Therefore, God Almighty says: ‘O Humankind! Worship Me alone; there was only one way to Me! But the people divided it into sects’. The sura then distinguishes between the people of Hell and the people of Paradise. The sura concludes by addressing the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him); saying Allah Almighty has sent him only as a Mercy for all worlds, including all humans, communities and creatures, and God Almighty Himself is the Most Compassionate Lord. This is Allah Almighty’s universal declaration for the Holy Prophet’s as a Mercy for the entire universe.