al-An‘am is the 6th sura of the Qur’an, which means ‘The Cattle’ and belongs to the Meccan period. It takes its name from the references to cattle and pagan practices in verses 136 and 138–139, 142–146. It contains 165 verses, 3,052 words, 12,240 letters, and 20 segments. It is the 55th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Hijr. The sura begins by praising Allah Almighty as the Creator of the heavens and earth, demonstrating His power and knowledge regarding the human and celestial worlds. This sura refutes pagan beliefs and polytheistic practices, including animal offerings to idols. This chapter elaborates commandments regarding permissible and prohibited foods in more detail than the preceding chapters. It also mentions the nature of Prophethood, explaining that the Messengers (peace be upon them) do not act on their own but with the Will of God. It also narrates the account of Ibrahim’s arguments against worshipping anything other than God, which includes the celestial bodies. The idolaters believed celestial bodies had great power over the earth and its inhabitants.

This sura explains that God is the Giver of both life and death. He is the sole Supreme authority in this world and the Hereafter, and He is the One Who has given every person his ajal (lifespan). This chapter rejects the pagan practice of slaying children as an act of idolatry worship. This sura speaks significantly about the attributes of God and His Messengers (peace be upon them). This chapter concludes by saying that God causes generations to succeed one another in this world, and none in this universe is immortal. Human character is a test of conduct, and everyone must pass this test. No individual can bear the burden of another soul by assuming responsibility for one another.