Quranic verse, translation and commentary at iSerat
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Surah Ya-Sin — Verse 4
عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Upon a straight path
After affirming the Prophet's mission, the Quran describes the way upon which he stands: a straight and sound path.
Sirat refers to a path leading towards a destination, while mustaqim stresses its straightness and freedom from deviation. But where does this path lead?
In the Quran's understanding, the straight path leads towards God and humanity's true flourishing: knowing our Lord, worshipping Him with understanding and drawing nearer to Him. It is not merely a collection of moral rules or religious obligations. It is a comprehensive way that embraces belief, behaviour and the direction of life.
This expression recalls the very path for which we ask guidance in Surah Al-Fatihah. Here the Prophet is described as standing upon that path himself. He not only calls others towards guidance; he follows the way that he asks them to take.
The affirmation of the Prophet's mission is therefore completed by an affirmation of the path he follows. Prophethood matters not only because revelation is received, but because through it human beings can come to recognise the way towards the true goal of life.
After affirming the Prophet's mission, the Quran describes the way upon which he stands: a straight and sound path.
Sirat refers to a path leading towards a destination, while mustaqim stresses its straightness and freedom from deviation. But where does this path lead?
In the Quran's understanding, the straight path leads towards God and humanity's true flourishing: knowing our Lord, worshipping Him with understanding and drawing nearer to Him. It is not merely a collection of moral rules or religious obligations. It is a comprehensive way that embraces belief, behaviour and the direction of life.
This expression recalls the very path for which we ask guidance in Surah Al-Fatihah. Here the Prophet is described as standing upon that path himself. He not only calls others towards guidance; he follows the way that he asks them to take.
The affirmation of the Prophet's mission is therefore completed by an affirmation of the path he follows. Prophethood matters not only because revelation is received, but because through it human beings can come to recognise the way towards the true goal of life.