molla.az logomolla.azLearn Islam, live it well.

Quran stories

The Advice of Luqman: the story in the Quran

The valuable advice the wise Luqman gave his son

  • Published:
  • Updated:
  • Surah Luqman, 12-19
  • #the story of the Advice of Luqman
  • #Quran stories
  • #Surah Luqman
  • #wisdom
  • #a father's advice
  • #humility
  • #Tawhid

At a glance

Surah
Surah Luqman (31)
Verses
12-19
Theme
Wisdom and a father's advice
Identity
Not a prophet, but a righteous man given wisdom (the majority view)
Main lesson
The greatest advice: not associating partners with Allah

Summary

Luqman is a righteous man named in the Quran to whom Allah granted wisdom. According to the majority of scholars, he was not a prophet but a wise man endowed with wisdom. Surah Luqman lists the advice he gave his own son: not to associate partners with Allah, to be good to one's parents, to establish prayer, to enjoin good and forbid wrong, to be humble, and to observe moderation in conduct. This advice consists of brief, clear principles of upbringing valid for every era.

The story

  1. Who was Luqman?

    Allah had granted Luqman wisdom and commanded him to be grateful: "Whoever is grateful is only grateful for his own good" (Luqman, 12).

    According to the majority of scholars, Luqman was not a prophet but a righteous, wise man to whom Allah gave wisdom. The Quran presents him as a father, an example who gave valuable advice to his own son.

  2. The greatest advice: avoiding shirk

    As Luqman advised his son, his first and most essential word was Tawhid: "O my dear son, do not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, shirk is a great injustice" (Luqman, 13).

    In this way he laid the oneness of Allah as the foundation of upbringing, since all good deeds rest upon correct belief.

  3. Kindness to parents

    Among this advice, Allah also instructs man concerning his parents: his mother carried him in hardship and weakness, and weaned him after two years; therefore one must be grateful both to Allah and to one's parents (Luqman, 14).

    But a limit is also set: if parents force a person to associate partners with Allah, there is no obedience to them in this matter; yet one is still commanded to treat them well in this world (Luqman, 15).

  4. Prayer, patience, and good character

    Luqman reminded his son that even a deed the weight of a mustard seed, wherever it may be, Allah will bring it forth, for Allah is subtle and aware of all things (Luqman, 16).

    Then he listed his practical advice: "O my dear son, establish prayer, enjoin what is good, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over whatever befalls you. Indeed, these are among the matters requiring firm resolve" (Luqman, 17).

  5. Humility and measured conduct

    The final pieces of advice concern good character and humility: "Do not turn your cheek away from people in arrogance, and do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not love anyone self-satisfied and boastful" (Luqman, 18).

    He then advises moderation: walk at a moderate pace and lower your voice, for the most unpleasant of voices is the braying of a donkey (Luqman, 19). This advice calls a person to good manners toward both Allah and other people.

Key verses

Surah Luqman, 13

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

Transliteration
Wa idh qala Luqmanu libnihi wa huwa ya'izuhu ya bunayya la tushrik billah, innash-shirka la zulmun azim
Meaning
Once Luqman said to his son, while advising him: "O my dear son, do not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, shirk is a great injustice."

Surah Luqman, 17

يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

Transliteration
Ya bunayya aqimis-salata wa'mur bil-ma'rufi wanha anil-munkari wasbir ala ma asabaka, inna dhalika min azmil-umur
Meaning
O my dear son, establish prayer, enjoin what is good, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over whatever befalls you. Indeed, these are among the matters requiring firm resolve.

Surah Luqman, 18

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

Transliteration
Wa la tusa'ir khaddaka lin-nasi wa la tamshi fil-ardi maraha, innallaha la yuhibbu kulla mukhtalin fakhur
Meaning
Do not turn your cheek away from people in arrogance, and do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not love anyone self-satisfied and boastful.

In the Quran

Luqman's advice appears in the surah bearing his name, the 31st surah, in a section that deals with the themes of Tawhid and the Hereafter. Through Luqman's example, the surah shows what wisdom means: wisdom is manifested in gratitude to Allah, correct belief, and good character.

Lessons and wisdom

  • The foundation of upbringing is Tawhid: not associating partners with Allah is the greatest advice.
  • Being kind to parents, especially the mother who raised her child with hardship, is part of gratitude to Allah.
  • Prayer, enjoining good, and patience are the pillars of a believer's daily life.
  • Arrogance and boastfulness are traits Allah does not love; humility is a virtue.
  • Wisdom comes not from age or status, but from Allah's favor.

Sources

References are drawn from Quran verses, available authentic hadith and reliable scholarship.

  • QuranSurah Luqman, 13

    This verse contains Luqman's advice to his son not to associate partners with Allah, and the statement that shirk is a great injustice.

  • QuranSurah Luqman, 17

    This verse lists the advice concerning prayer, enjoining good, forbidding wrong, and patience.

  • QuranSurah Luqman, 18

    This verse contains the advice on humility and avoiding arrogance.

  • Scholarly sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Lokman"

    Referenced for scholarly information on Luqman's identity, the wisdom given to him, and whether he was a prophet.

Related stories

Other narratives found in the Quran.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this story.

  • What is the story of the Advice of Luqman about?

    The story of the Advice of Luqman is about the wise Luqman's advice to his own son in Surah Luqman: not associating partners with Allah, kindness to parents, prayer, enjoining good, humility, and moderation in conduct.

  • Was Luqman a prophet?

    According to the majority of scholars, Luqman was not a prophet but a righteous, wise man to whom Allah granted wisdom. In the Quran he is mentioned not as a prophet but as a father possessing wisdom.

  • What is Luqman's most essential advice?

    His first and most essential advice is not to associate partners with Allah: "O my dear son, do not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, shirk is a great injustice" (Luqman, 13).

  • In which surah of the Quran is the Advice of Luqman told?

    This advice appears in verses 12-19 of Surah Luqman (the 31st surah).