Sura Ibrahim
14
Introduction of Surah
Ibrahim is the 14th sura of the Qur’an, named after Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham [peace be upon him]) and belongs to the Meccan period. It comprises 52 verses, 831 words, 6,434 letters, and seven segments. It is the 72nd sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura Nuh. The sura derives its name from verse 35, which references Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) numerous times. It also mentions Prophets Isma‘il and Ishaq (peace be upon both of them) along with their father. The sura begins with three Mysterious Letters of the Qur’an and states that the Holy Qur’an is revealed to bring people out of the darkness of ignorance and lead them towards the Light of Truth, illuminating the right path of God.
This sura mentions an episode from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he made a special supplication. He prayed for the security of Mecca and protection from idolatry for himself and his children. He also prayed for the prosperity of his progeny and forgiveness for his parents and all believers on the Day of Judgement. Then Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) calls out to his Lord, saying: ‘I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near Your Sacred House, so enable them to remain on Your path and establish prayer.’ The sura then details the signs conveyed by Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) to his people to bring them out of the darkness. It also mentions, as a warning, what happened to the people of Nuh (peace be upon him), ‘Ad and Thamud. It states that the tyrant will enter Hell and be given pus to drink, which will be very difficult to swallow. Among the focal points of the sura is the differentiation between gratefulness and ungratefulness towards Allah’s blessings and the significance of patience and trust in God. The sura also explains how Satan will let down the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement, leading them to the punishment of Hell. The sura also emphasises the importance of the Prophets (peace be upon them) being the only means of guidance for their people. In the end, the sura refers to the Day of Resurrection, when the heavens and earth change into a different state. The sura warns the evildoers and deniers of truth that they will be bound together in chains and their faces covered with flames. This warning is a universal message for people so they can understand that there is only One God worthy of worship and none else.
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the All-Merciful
14:1. Alif, Lam, Ra. (This is) a Book We have revealed to you so that you may bring humankind out of darkness into light, by the command of their Lord, (and lead them) to the path of the All-Mighty, the All-Praiseworthy.
الر كتاب أنزلناه إليك لتخرج الناس من الظلمات إلى النور بإذن ربهم إلى صراط العزيز الحميد
(Ibrahim, 14 : 1)
14:3. (They are) the ones who prefer the life of this world over the Hereafter, and bar (others) from the way of Allah and seek to make it crooked. Such people have gone far astray.
الذين يستحبون الحياة الدنيا على الآخرة ويصدون عن سبيل الله ويبغونها عوجا أولـئك في ضلال بعيد
(Ibrahim, 14 : 3)
14:4. We have not sent any messenger except with the language of his people so that He could explain (Our message) to them clearly. Then Allah leaves to stray whomsoever He wills and guides whomsoever He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
وما أرسلنا من رسول إلا بلسان قومه ليبين لهم فيضل الله من يشاء ويهدي من يشاء وهو العزيز الحكيم
(Ibrahim, 14 : 4)
14:5. Indeed, We sent Musa (Moses) with Our signs (telling him): ‘Bring your people out of the darkness into the light, and remind them of Allah’s Days (of special favour).’ Surely, there are signs in that for whoever is patient and thankful.
ولقد أرسلنا موسى بآياتنا أن أخرج قومك من الظلمات إلى النور وذكرهم بأيام الله إن في ذلك لآيات لكل صبار شكور
(Ibrahim, 14 : 5)
14:6. And when Musa (Moses) said to his people: ‘Remember Allah’s blessing upon you, when He saved you from the people of Pharaoh, while they were subjecting you to terrible punishment and they were slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women. And in that (situation) was a great trial from your Lord.’
وإذ قال موسى لقومه اذكروا نعمة الله عليكم إذ أنجاكم من آل فرعون يسومونكم سوء العذاب ويذبحون أبناءكم ويستحيون نساءكم وفي ذلكم بلاء من ربكم عظيم
(Ibrahim, 14 : 6)
14:9. Has there not come to you the account of those (generations) who were before you—the people of Nuh (Noah), the ‘Ad and the Thamud, and those after them, whom no one knows except Allah? Their messengers brought them clear signs, but they thrust their hands into their mouths and said: ‘We disbelieve in what you have been sent with, and indeed, We have serious doubts about what you are inviting us to.’
ألم يأتكم نبأ الذين من قبلكم قوم نوح وعاد وثمود والذين من بعدهم لا يعلمهم إلا الله جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فردوا أيديهم في أفواههم وقالوا إنا كفرنا بما أرسلتم به وإنا لفي شك مما تدعوننا إليه مريب
(Ibrahim, 14 : 9)
14:10. Their messengers said: ‘Is there any doubt about (the existence of) Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you to forgive some of your sins and grant you respite until a specified time.’ They said: ‘You are nothing but a human being like us; you want to turn us away from what our forefathers used to worship. So bring us some clear authority.’
قالت رسلهم أفي الله شك فاطر السماوات والأرض يدعوكم ليغفر لكم من ذنوبكم ويؤخركم إلى أجل مسـمى قالوا إن أنتم إلا بشر مثلنا تريدون أن تصدونا عما كان يعبد آبآؤنا فأتونا بسلطان مبين
(Ibrahim, 14 : 10)
14:11. Their messengers said to them: ‘We may be human beings like yourselves, but Allah bestows (His) grace upon whomever He pleases among His servants. And it is not for us to bring you authority except by Allah’s permission. And in Allah, let the believers put their trust.
قالت لهم رسلهم إن نحن إلا بشر مثلكم ولـكن الله يمن على من يشاء من عباده وما كان لنا أن نأتيكم بسلطان إلا بإذن الله وعلى الله فليتوكل المؤمنون
(Ibrahim, 14 : 11)
14:12. Why should We not trust in Allah, seeing that He has guided us in our ways? And surely, We will patiently endure whatever harm you inflict upon us. And in Allah let all the trusting (people) put their trust.’
وما لنا ألا نتوكل على الله وقد هدانا سبلنا ولنصبرن على ما آذيتمونا وعلى الله فليتوكل المتوكلون
(Ibrahim, 14 : 12)
14:13. The disbelievers said to their messengers: ‘We shall surely expel you from our land, or you shall revert to our creed.’ So their Lord revealed to them: ‘We shall surely destroy the wrongdoers,
وقال الذين كفروا لرسلهم لنخرجنـكم من أرضنآ أو لتعودن في ملتنا فأوحى إليهم ربهم لنهلكن الظالمين
(Ibrahim, 14 : 13)
14:18. The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord: Their deeds are like ashes over which the wind blows intensely on a stormy day (causing them to scatter). They will have no control over anything they have earned. That is the farthest error.
مثل الذين كفروا بربهم أعمالهم كرماد اشتدت به الريح في يوم عاصف لا يقدرون مما كسبوا على شيء ذلك هو الضلال البعيد
(Ibrahim, 14 : 18)
14:21. They will appear before Allah together. Then the weak (followers) will say to the arrogant (leaders): ‘Indeed we were your followers. So will you rescue us from Allah’s punishment in any way?’ They will say: ‘If Allah had guided us, we too would have guided you. It is the same to us whether we become impatient or remain patient; there is no escape for us.’
وبرزوا لله جميعا فقال الضعفاء للذين استكبروا إنا كنا لكم تبعا فهل أنتم مغنون عنا من عذاب الله من شيء قالوا لو هدانا الله لهديناكم سواء علينآ أجزعنا أم صبرنا ما لنا من محيص
(Ibrahim, 14 : 21)
14:22. And Satan will say (to his followers), once the judgement is passed: ‘Indeed, Allah promised you (and it was) a true promise, whereas I (too) made you a promise, but I failed you. And I had no authority over you, except that I called you (towards falsehood), and you responded to me (for your own interest). So, do not blame me; blame yourselves. I cannot respond to your distress calls, nor can you respond to my distress calls. Surely, I deny your taking me as Allah’s partner previously. As for the wrongdoers, surely there shall be a painful punishment for them.
وقال الشيطان لما قضي الأمر إن الله وعدكم وعد الحق ووعدتكم فأخلفتكم وما كان لي عليكم من سلطان إلا أن دعوتكم فاستجبتم لي فلا تلوموني ولوموا أنفسكم ما أنا بمصرخكم وما أنتم بمصرخي إني كفرت بمآ أشركتمون من قبل إن الظالمين لهم عذاب أليم
(Ibrahim, 14 : 22)
14:23. Those who believe and perform righteous deeds shall be made to enter Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will remain in them forever by the leave of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be: ‘Peace!’
وأدخل الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها بإذن ربهم تحيتهم فيها سلام
(Ibrahim, 14 : 23)
14:27. Allah reassures those who believe with the firm word (of truth) in the life of this world and the Hereafter, and Allah leaves the wrongdoers to stray. And Allah does whatever He pleases.
يثبت الله الذين آمنوا بالقول الثابت في الحياة الدنيا وفي الآخرة ويضل الله الظالمين ويفعل الله ما يشاء
(Ibrahim, 14 : 27)
14:31. Tell My believing servants to establish the prayer and to spend (in charity) out of what We have provided them, secretly and openly, before there comes a day wherein there will be neither any bargain nor (any worldly) friendship.
قل لعبادي الذين آمنوا يقيموا الصلاة وينفقوا مما رزقناهم سرا وعلانية من قبل أن يأتي يوم لا بيع فيه ولا خلال
(Ibrahim, 14 : 31)
14:32. Allah is (the One) Who created the heavens and the earth, sent down water from the clouds, and brought forth crops for your sustenance with it. And He has subjected the ships for your service so that they may sail through the sea by His command. And He has (also) subjected the rivers for you.
الله الذي خلق السماوات والأرض وأنزل من السماء ماء فأخرج به من الثمرات رزقا لكم وسخر لكم الفلك لتجري في البحر بأمره وسخر لكم الأنهار
(Ibrahim, 14 : 32)
14:34. And He has provided you with everything you demanded from Him (for your needs). If you count the blessings of Allah, you will not be able to number them. Indeed, human being is most unjust (and) ungrateful.
وآتاكم من كل ما سألتموه وإن تعدوا نعمت الله لا تحصوها إن الإنسان لظلوم كفار
(Ibrahim, 14 : 34)
14:36. My Lord! These (idols) have indeed led many people astray! So whoever follows me certainly belongs to me, but as for anyone who disobeys me, You are surely Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.
رب إنهن أضللن كثيرا من الناس فمن تبعني فإنه مني ومن عصاني فإنك غفور رحيم
(Ibrahim, 14 : 36)
14:37. Our Lord! I have settled (some) of my children (i.e. Isma‘il [Ishmael]) in a barren valley (of Mecca) near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish the prayer. So cause the hearts of (the believing) people to incline towards them, and provide them with fruits, that they may be grateful.
ربنا إني أسكنت من ذريتي بواد غير ذي زرع عند بيتك المحرم ربنا ليقيموا الصلاة فاجعل أفئدة من الناس تهوي إليهم وارزقهم من الثمرات لعلهم يشكرون
(Ibrahim, 14 : 37)
14:41. Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning is held.’
* Here reference is made to the real father of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) Tarakh who was neither a disbeliever nor a polytheist. He was rather a believer in the true Din (Religion). Azar was in fact Ibrahim’s uncle who brought him up after his father’s demise and was called his father figuratively. He was a polytheist, and Ibrahim (Abraham) was forbidden to pray for his forgiveness. In this Verse the prayer is meant for his real parents. Allah liked this prayer so much that it has been prescribed for the Umma (Community) to supplicate with it in all of the ritual Prayers.
