Al-An'am (Arabic: ٱلْأَنْعَام al-ʾAnʿām, "The Cattle") is the sixth chapter (sūrah) of the Quran, with 165 verses (āyāt). Coming in order in the Quran after al-Baqarah, Al 'Imran, an-Nisa', and al-Ma'idah, all of which were revealed in Medina, this surah dwells on such themes as rejecting polytheism and unbelief, the establishment of Tawhid / Tauhid (pure monotheism), the Revelation, Messengership, and Resurrection. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (Asbāb al-nuzūl), it is a "Meccan surah," as it is believed to have been revealed in its entirety during the final year of the Meccan period of Islam. The surah also reports the story of the prophet Ibrahim, who calls others to stop worshiping celestial bodies and turns towards Allah.
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and contains a total of 165 verses. Imam Ridha (a.s.) has said that this Surah was revealed accompanied by the descending of seventy thousand angels. These angels will ask forgiveness from Allah (S.w.T.) for any person who recites this Surah, and they will continue doing so until the Day of Judgement. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if a person writes this Surah using musk or saffron and then drinks it (ie. puts the written Surah in water for its writing to dissolve) for six consecutive days, that person will be blessed abundantly and will be free from all problems. He will not lose his health or fall sick. The 6th Holy Imam (a.s.) also said that this Surah must be accorded due respect as the name of Allah (S.w.T.) appears 70 times in it. If people knew the benefits of reciting this Surah, they would never leave it.
Whoso recites this surah, the seventy thousand angels who came with it at the time of its descending, glorifying Allah, will pray for his forgiveness, and good fortune day and night up to the day of judgement. 40 thousand angels will be rendered for Ibadat on behalf of the person till the Day of Judgement and all the Sawab (Reward) will go to the person.
One Angel with Iron spear will appear and stand guard between Heavens and Earth to safeguard the person from Shaytan.
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will ask the person, to enjoy all the good things from Jannat (eating fruits from Jannat, drink water from Hauz-e-Kausar and bath in Salsabeel river etc).
Jabir (radiAllahu anhu) reported that The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘So many Angels accompanied its revelation that the horizon was covered with them’ [Hakim, Dhahabi & Baihaqi]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘The Qur’an was revealed in one fifth part, whoever memorized it in one fifth parts would not forget it. Except for Surah al An’am, which was revealed in its entirety, seen off by seventy angels from each heaven until they delivered it to the Prophet.’ [Baihaqi & Khatib]
Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu) reported that The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Surah An’aam is from the core of the Qur’an” [Tafsir of al-Qurtubi]
1. Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: The Surah Anam was revealed all at once and 70000 angels accompanied it when it descended on the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.). They were respecting it and extolling it. Then indeed the name of Allah, the Blessed, occurs at 70 places in it. If people only knew what benefits lie in its recital, they would never leave it. 2. Ibne Abbas said: One who recites Surah Anam every night would be of the secured ones on the Day of Judgment, and he would never see Fire (of Hell) with his eyes ever.
