سُوْرَةُ يُوْنُسَ

Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 105

Jonas · Meccan · Juz 11 · Page 220

وَأَنْ أَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿105﴾
"And (it is revealed to me): Direct your face (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) entirely towards the religion Hanîf (Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone), and never be one of the Mushrikûn (those who ascribe partners to Allâh, polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, and those who worship others along with Allâh).
وَأَنْ wa-an And that
أَقِمْ aqim Direct
وَجْهَكَ wajhaka your face
لِلدِّينِ lilddīni to the religion
حَنِيفًۭا ḥanīfan upright
وَلَا walā and (do) not
تَكُونَنَّ takūnanna be
مِنَ mina of
ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ l-mush'rikīna the polytheists

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 105) {وَ اَنْ اَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّيْنِ حَنِيْفًا …: ’’ حَنِيْفًا ‘‘} "Single-minded, one who turns away" means leaving all false deities and becoming devoted to Allah alone. The emphasis on being Hanif and never among the polytheists means that the Arab polytheists, because of their claim to be followers of the religion of Abraham, called themselves Hanif, yet they also committed shirk. So Allah Almighty said, be Hanif but never among the polytheists. Another meaning is that in no way should you join with the polytheists, neither in open shirk nor in hidden shirk. Showing off (riya) is called hidden shirk.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

15. 1. The meaning of حَنِیْف is: single-minded (yak-sū); that is, one who turns away from every religion, adopting only the religion of Islam, and turning away from all sides, turning with single-minded devotion only towards Allah.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

And that you should set your face steadfastly towards the religion (Islam), turning away from all else, and do not be among the polytheists [113].

[113]
Three Instructions for Attaining Guidance:

In this verse and the next two verses, although the address apparently is to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, these directives are for the general people and especially for the Muslims, because the Prophet’s call begins with the rejection of shirk, and even his life before prophethood was free from shirk. In the Noble Quran, this style has been adopted for further emphasis, and the instruction is that the path of Islam which Allah Almighty has shown and explained, you must walk straight upon it without turning right or left, or looking back and forth, because apart from Allah’s straight path, all other paths are satanic. The second instruction is that on this path, all kinds of tribal prejudices, ignorant and polytheistic customs and traditions, religious biases, and external or previous beliefs must be completely abandoned and one must walk with single-mindedness. The third instruction is that especially polytheistic beliefs and customs, one must remain completely pure and clean from their habits, traits, and character, and choose Allah's path.