Surah Ibrahim

Surah Ibrahim is the 14th surah of the Quran. It is a Makki surah from the late Makki period. It calls to tawhid and risalah, tells the Quraish what happened to earlier nations that denied their messengers, teaches gratitude, and ends with the prayers of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) for the city of Makkah.

Why is it called Ibrahim?

The surah is named after Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) because it contains his famous prayers for Makkah and his family (14:35 to 41). As with many surahs, the name is a mark to identify the surah: the whole surah is not the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).

Period and background of revelation

No single incident is given for this surah. According to Tafheem-ul-Quran it was revealed in the last stage of the Makki period, when the Quraish were oppressing the believers and threatening them. The threat of the nations in 14:13, "we will drive you out of our land", matches what the Quraish were saying to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions. The surah answers them in four ways: it calls to the Book that brings people out of darkness, it warns them with the fate of Nuh, Aad, Thamud and Pharaoh, it comforts the believers with the promise of Allah, and it reminds the Quraish of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), whose House they serve, who prayed to be kept away from idols.

Central theme and main topics

The central theme is the call to bring people from the darkness of kufr and shirk into the light of iman through the Book (14:1), with the warning that thankfulness brings increase and denial brings punishment (14:7).

• The purpose of the Quran and the language of the messengers (14:1 to 4)
• Hazrat Musa (AS), the days of Allah and gratitude (14:5 to 8)
• The dialogues of the messengers with their nations (14:9 to 17)
• The deeds of the disbelievers like ashes (14:18 to 20)
• The speech of Satan on the Day of Judgement (14:21 to 23)
• The good word and the bad word (14:24 to 27)
• Ingratitude, prayer, charity and the blessings of Allah (14:28 to 34)
• The prayers of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) (14:35 to 41)
• The end of the wrongdoers and the Day of Judgement (14:42 to 52)

The surah begins with the letters «الٓر» and then states why the Quran was sent down.

• The Quran is a Book which Allah revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) (14:1).
• Purpose: to bring mankind out of the darknesses (kufr, shirk, ignorance) into the light (iman and knowledge), by the permission of their Lord (14:1).
• The path is that of Allah, the Exalted in Might («الْعَزِيْز») and the Praiseworthy («الْحَمِيْد») (14:1). These are the two attributes of Allah in this ayah.
• To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth; woe («وَيْلٌ») to the disbelievers from a severe punishment (14:2).
• The disbelievers prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter, turn people away from Allah's way and try to make it crooked («عِوَجًا»); they are in extreme error (14:3).

The language of the messengers (14:4)

• Allah sent every messenger in the language of his people, so that he could explain the message clearly to them.
• After the message is made clear, guidance and misguidance are by Allah's will: He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

After the Quran, the surah reminds Bani Israil of Hazrat Musa (AS). His message was the same: bring the people out of darkness into light.

• 14:5: Allah sent Hazrat Musa (AS) with His signs and told him to bring his people out of darknesses into light and to remind them of the days of Allah («أَيَّامِ اللّٰهِ»), that is, His favours and His punishments in history. In this are signs for the very patient and very thankful.
• 14:6: Hazrat Musa (AS) told them to remember Allah's favour when He saved them from the people of Pharaoh, who gave them the worst torment, slaughtered their sons and kept their women alive. In that was a great trial from their Lord.
• 14:7: your Lord proclaimed: if you are grateful I will surely increase you, but if you deny, My punishment is severe.
• 14:8: Hazrat Musa (AS) said: even if you and all people on earth disbelieve, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. Our thanks help us, not Allah.

Ayah 9 reminds the Quraish of earlier nations: the people of Nuh (AS), Aad (the people of Hud (AS)), Thamud (the people of Salih (AS)) and those after them, whom only Allah knows. Their messengers brought clear proofs, but they put their hands to their mouths and said: we disbelieve in what you were sent with, and we are in disquieting doubt about what you call us to. Then the ayat give the talk between the messengers and these nations.

Allah's answer (14:13 to 17)

• Allah revealed to the messengers: We will surely destroy the wrongdoers (14:13).
• And We shall make you dwell in the land after them; this is for him who fears My standing before Me and fears My warning (14:14).
• The messengers asked for victory from Allah, and every stubborn tyrant was disappointed (14:15).
• Behind him is Hell, and he is given pus-like water («صَدِيْدٍ») to drink (14:16 to 17).

Lessons

• Every nation denied its messengers with the same excuses: they are only men, they oppose our fathers, show us a proof.
• The messengers answered with tawhid, patience and trust in Allah, never with force.
• Allah's promise is that the wrongdoers are destroyed and the believers inherit the land.

• The likeness of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their deeds are like ashes («رَمَاد») which the wind blows hard on a stormy day (14:18). This is the answer to the MCQ in the model paper.
• They cannot keep anything of what they earned. Without iman, their good deeds are lost in the Hereafter: this is the far-off error.
• 14:19 to 20: Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. If He wills, He can remove you and bring a new creation; that is not hard for Allah.

• 14:21: all people will come out before Allah. The weak followers will say to the arrogant leaders: we were your followers, can you save us from any of Allah's punishment? The leaders will say: if Allah had guided us, we would have guided you; it is the same for us whether we cry or are patient, there is no escape.

• Satan will say, when the matter is decided: Allah promised you a promise of truth; I promised you and betrayed you («فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ»).
• I had no authority over you; I only called you and you answered me.
• So do not blame me; blame yourselves. I cannot help you and you cannot help me.
• I reject your earlier making me a partner with Allah. For the wrongdoers is a painful punishment.

The other side (14:23): those who believed and did good deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding for ever by their Lord's permission, and their greeting there will be "Peace".

• The good word is the word of iman, the kalimah «لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ» and every true and good word, as the commentators (including Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA)) explain. The bad word is kufr, shirk and every false word.
• Iman is firmly rooted in the heart, and its branches (good deeds) rise to the sky and give fruit at all times.
• Allah gives such examples so that people may remember (14:25).
• The Prophet (ﷺ) once asked his companions about a tree that is like a Muslim, whose leaves do not fall, and said it is the date palm (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, from Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA)); commentators mention this in explaining the good tree.

The firm word (14:27)

Allah keeps firm those who believe with the firm word, in this world and in the Hereafter, and He leaves the wrongdoers to stray. Hazrat Bara bin Azib (RA) reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said this ayah was revealed about the questioning in the grave: the believer answers by the testimony of faith (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

Those who exchanged Allah's favour for disbelief (14:28 to 30)

• They exchanged the favour of Allah for kufr and brought their people down to the home of ruin, Hell, which they will enter: a wretched place to settle (14:28 to 29). Commentators say these were the leaders of the Quraish.
• They set up equals to Allah to mislead people from His way; they are told: enjoy yourselves, for your return is to the Fire (14:30).

Command to the believers (14:31)

Allah tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to say to the believing servants: establish the prayer and spend from what We gave you, secretly and openly, before a Day comes in which there is no buying and selling and no friendship.

Allah's blessings (14:32 to 34)

• Allah created the heavens and the earth, sent down rain and brought out fruits as provision for you.
• He subjected the ships to sail on the sea by His command, and the rivers (14:32).
• He subjected the sun and the moon, both constant in their course, and the night and the day (14:33).
• He gave you of all that you asked; if you try to count Allah's favours you cannot count them. Man is very unjust and ungrateful (14:34).

The surah names itself after these prayers. Allah tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to mention when Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) prayed. The Quraish were the people of Makkah and the keepers of his House, so the prayers answer them: Ibrahim (AS) asked Allah to keep him and his sons away from idols, and asked for a city of peace where prayer is established.

Sahih Bukhari (from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA)) reports that Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) left Hazrat Hajar (RA) and the child Ismail (AS) near the House in the empty valley, then, standing apart and facing the House, he made the prayer of ayah 37.

This topic gathers the ayat of the surah on the end of those who deny, oppose the messengers and do wrong.

In this world

• Earlier nations (Nuh, Aad, Thamud and others) were destroyed after their messengers brought clear proofs (14:9).
• Allah said: We shall surely destroy the wrongdoers, and the believers will dwell in the land after them (14:13 to 14).
• Every stubborn tyrant is disappointed (14:15).
• The Quraish lived among the dwellings of earlier wrongdoers and saw what Allah did to them, yet did not learn (14:45).
• Their plots cannot defeat Allah's plan, even if their plan could move mountains (14:46).

In the Hereafter

• Hell is before the tyrant; he is given pus-like water («صَدِيْدٍ») to drink, which he can hardly swallow; death comes from every side but he does not die (14:16 to 17).
• Their deeds are like ashes in a stormy wind; they cannot keep anything of their earnings (14:18).
• Leaders and followers will blame each other, and Satan will disown them (14:21 to 22).
• They will be taken to the home of ruin, Hell (14:28 to 29).
• Their eyes will stare in terror; they will run with heads raised, their gaze will not return to them and their hearts will be empty (14:42 to 43).
• They will ask for a short delay and will be reminded that they once swore there would be no end for them (14:44).
• On the Day the earth will be changed into another earth, they will be bound together in chains, their garments of tar and their faces covered by the Fire (14:48 to 50).
• Allah will repay every soul what it earned; He is swift in reckoning («سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ») (14:51).

Lessons

• Do not think Allah is unaware of wrongdoers; He only gives them time (14:42).
• Learn from the ruins of past nations (14:45).
• Allah's promise to His messengers will certainly be fulfilled (14:47).

Ruku 1 (ayat 1 to 6): the Quran brings people out of darkness into light; woe to the disbelievers; every messenger spoke his people's language; Hazrat Musa (AS) reminded his people of the days of Allah and of Allah's favour in saving them from Pharaoh. Ruku 2 (ayat 7 to 12): gratitude brings increase; the nations of Nuh, Aad and Thamud denied their messengers; the messengers answered that Allah is the Creator, that they are men favoured by Allah, and that the believers must rely on Allah.

Teachings

• The Quran is light; follow it to leave the darkness of ignorance and shirk.
• Be thankful, and Allah will increase His blessings.
• Rely on Allah and be patient when people trouble you for your faith.

Ruku 3 (ayat 13 to 21): the nations threaten to expel the messengers; Allah promises to destroy the wrongdoers and to settle the believers; the tyrant's drink in Hell; the deeds of the disbelievers are like ashes; Allah can bring a new creation; the weak and the arrogant on the Day of Judgement.

Teachings

• Deeds without iman are useless in the Hereafter.
• Do not blindly follow arrogant leaders; on the Day of Judgement they will not help you.

Ruku 4 (ayat 22 to 27): the speech of Satan; the reward of the believers; the good word like a good tree and the bad word like a bad tree; Allah keeps the believers firm. Ruku 5 (ayat 28 to 34): those who exchanged Allah's favour for kufr; the command to pray and spend; the blessings of Allah, so many that they cannot be counted.

Teachings

• Do not blame Satan alone: he only invites and we choose.
• Let your words be good and your iman firm.
• Thank Allah for blessings you cannot count, and use them in prayer and charity.

Ruku 6 (ayat 35 to 41) is the prayers of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS): peace for the city, protection from idols, provision and love for his family in the valley, thanks for Ismail and Ishaq, prayer for establishing the prayer, and forgiveness for himself, his parents and the believers.

Teachings

• Ask Allah for peace and for faith before wealth.
• Pray for your family and your descendants, and for your parents and all believers.

Ruku 7 (ayat 42 to 52): Allah is not unaware of the wrongdoers; the terror of the Day when eyes stare; the wrongdoers ask for a delay; the lesson from earlier nations; the earth is changed; the criminals in chains and garments of tar; every soul is repaid. The last ayah says that the Quran is a message for people so that they are warned, know that Allah is One God, and the people of understanding remember.

Teachings

• Do not think the delay given to wrongdoers is neglect; the reckoning is certain.
• Learn from history, and use your understanding to accept the message of tawhid.

• Surah Ibrahim is the 14th surah, Makki, 52 ayat, 7 rukus, para 13.
• It is named after Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and his prayer (14:35 to 41).
• Period: late Makki, when persecution was severe; no single incident of revelation.
• 14:1: the Quran brings people out of darkness into light; Allah is the Exalted in Might and the Praiseworthy.
• 14:4: every messenger was sent in the language of his people.
• 14:5: Hazrat Musa (AS) was told to remind his people of the days of Allah.
• 14:7: if you are grateful I will increase you; if you deny, My punishment is severe.
• 14:9: the nations named are Nuh, Aad and Thamud.
• 14:10: the nations said: you are only men like us; bring a clear authority.
• 14:13: the threat of expulsion from the land; Allah's answer: We will destroy the wrongdoers.
• 14:18: the deeds of the disbelievers are like ashes in a stormy wind.
• 14:22: Satan's speech: I only called you; blame yourselves.
• 14:24 to 26: the good word is like a good tree, the bad word like a bad tree.
• 14:27: Allah keeps the believers firm with the firm word; the hadith links it to the grave (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).
• 14:34: Allah's blessings cannot be counted.
• 14:35: Ibrahim (AS) prayed: make this city secure and keep me and my sons from idols.
• 14:37: he settled his offspring in an uncultivated valley near the Sacred House.
• 14:39: Ismail and Ishaq were given in old age.
• 14:41: forgive me, my parents and the believers.
• 14:52: the Quran is a message for people to be warned and to know that Allah is One.
• 80-list words of this unit: «وَيْلٌ» (woe), «اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى» (appointed term), «سَرِيْعُ» (swift), «يَدْعُوْ» (he calls), «فَاطِرِ» (Creator).