Luqman the Wise and his Advice to his Son

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒕ﷺ 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓: Luqman the Abyssinian, the Negus, Bilal and Muhja (first Muslim to die at Badr).[As-Suyuti]

Luqman the Sage, was from Abyssinia and Allah(swt) gave him wisdom. It is said (albeit weak) that one day, whilst sleeping under a tree, an angel came to Luqman and said God wanted to bestow a gift upon him; either to be a prophet or a wise man. Luqman chose to be a wise man. Then, Gabriel came while he slept and poured the wisdom over him and when he woke up, he was aware that his senses and understanding had sharpened. He could understand the inner meanings of things, beyond their physical reality. Immediately he bowed down, thanked and praised Allah for this wonderful gift.

Most ulama do agree Luqman was a Sage and not a Prophet. Still, what a great honour it is that his name and timeless wisdom lay preserved as an example to all people in the Quran, in Surah Luqman, for countless generations to benefit, from the past, to the present and for those still to come.

The surah preserves the beautiful advice of a father to his teenage son and it’s not surprising for in this conversation lies much wisdom, love and understanding, to take away for anyone wishing to teach the young their deen.

Luqman catches his son’s attention with affection to then begin urging the point home; with a beneficial incentive to encourage his son to perform the action in the best possible way, as well as a convincing warning, to dissuade him from approaching wrong actions. Luqman used tenderness, appealing words (and they do need to hear it) which was more likely to appeal to his son’s heart.

 “Oh my son!” was repeated over, imagine the impact these endearing words can have on the heart as well as to lift morale and not take the advice as criticism but open a mind to reason. As teens come into adulthood they’re becoming more autonomous in thinking, yearning independence, so kind words are effective. While a few might pretend to appear some days like it’s not cool to be seen hugging their parents as when they were younger, but affectionate words can  go a long way, anytime, in reaching out to them - guiding them insha’Allah.

"And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman Al-Hikmah (wisdom and religious understanding) saying: “Give thanks to Allah.”

“And (remember) when Luqman said to his son, while advising him, “O my dear son! Never associate (anything) with Allah (in worship), for associating (others with Him) is truly the worst of all wrongs...”

[Luqman 31:13]

𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚) 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀  📚