Lessons from 2 Verses in Surah Al-An’am (6 The Cattle)

Surah Al-Anam (The Cattle ) is the sixth chapter of the Qur’an with 165 verses which were revealed all at once. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares two verses or ayah from the Holy Qur’an which ultimately underscore the peace of Islam in its appropriate practice. Translations of the two ayah from Arabic are: 

“Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah! How can you then be deluded ˹from the truth˺?” (6:95)

“Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve.” (6:125)

Looking at the beginning of 6:95, we learn Allah as Our Creator is The One who opens seeds and causes soft saplings to grow. In the same way, Allah can open a believer’s chest as true power is in being soft, not harsh. Power is in submitting to the Commands of Allah which allows the believer to be relaxed. 

In 6:125, Ustadh Michael uses the example of a hot air balloon and how the lighter air inside causes it to rise. 

Being guided in Islam provides relief, similar to how deep breathing provides relaxation. In doing this, you feel your chest expand when taking deep breaths. Islam is submitting to Allah to acheive peace. Without this relaxation, one’s chest feels squeezed with worldly concerns, worries and fears. 

Using this same literal technique of breathing to expand your chest allows a believer to breathe when reciting the first chapter of the Noble Qur’an, Al Fatihah, to feel the connection in daily prayer. This draws a wave of relaxation throughout the body, expanding your chest as a believer submitting to Allah. 

Relaxation triggers hormones allowing your brain to be relaxed. Recite surah Al-Fatiha slowly. When you recite Qur’an slowly, you feel relaxed.