سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 138
صِبْغَةَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ عَـٰبِدُونَ ﴿138﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
[Our Sibghah (religion) is] the Sibghah (Religion) of Allâh (Islâm) and which Sibghah (religion) can be better than Allâh’s? And we are His worshippers. [Tafsir Ibn Kathîr]
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
صِبْغَةَ
ṣib'ghata
(The) color (religion)
ٱللَّهِ ۖ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
وَمَنْ
waman
And who
أَحْسَنُ
aḥsanu
(is) better
مِنَ
mina
than
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
Allah
صِبْغَةًۭ ۖ
ṣib'ghatan
at coloring
وَنَحْنُ
wanaḥnu
And we
لَهُۥ
lahu
to Him
عَـٰبِدُونَ
ʿābidūna
(are) worshippers
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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 138) ➊ {’’ صِبْغَةَ اللّٰهِ ‘‘} can be connected with the imperative verb {’’ اِلْزَمُوْا ‘‘}, meaning "Adopt the color of Allah," and also with the imperfect verb {’’ نَلْتَزِمُ ‘‘}, meaning "We adopt the color of Allah."
➋ In this verse, "the color of Allah" refers to the religion of Islam or the natural disposition upon which Allah has created people. It is called {’’ صِبْغَةَ اللّٰهِ ‘‘} because the Christians had prescribed a yellow-colored water for Christianity; when a child was born or someone entered their religion, they would bathe him with this water and say that now he has become pure and a true Christian. This ritual is called "Mamoudia" or "Baptism" among them. Thus, in this verse, Allah has refuted them and said that the best color is "the color of Allah," meaning the religion of Islam, with which all the prophets from Noah (peace be upon him) to all the other prophets were sent; you should adhere to it.
➋ In this verse, "the color of Allah" refers to the religion of Islam or the natural disposition upon which Allah has created people. It is called {’’ صِبْغَةَ اللّٰهِ ‘‘} because the Christians had prescribed a yellow-colored water for Christianity; when a child was born or someone entered their religion, they would bathe him with this water and say that now he has become pure and a true Christian. This ritual is called "Mamoudia" or "Baptism" among them. Thus, in this verse, Allah has refuted them and said that the best color is "the color of Allah," meaning the religion of Islam, with which all the prophets from Noah (peace be upon him) to all the other prophets were sent; you should adhere to it.
