Quranic Sciences

49. " So when he withdrew from them and what they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob and each (of them) We made a prophet."

Commentary

A godly action performed by a grandfather may bring the bounty of Allah for a generation.

Abraham (a.s.) kept his word and persisted fully on his own promise with resistance. He was always the caller of Monotheism even though all the members of the heretic society of that time raised against him, but, finally, he did not remain alone. A great many people became his followers during all centuries so that all the theists of the world are proud of him. The Qur'an implies when he withdrew from all the things they worshipped other than Allah, the Lord bestowed on him Isaac and after Isaac his son Jacob, each of whom were made a great prophet by Allah. The verse says:

" So when he withdrew from them and what they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob and each (of them) We made a prophet."

This great bounty was the fruit of that resistance which Abraham showed from himself in the way of struggling against idols and withdrawing from that false creed.

The Feature of Abraham

Abraham desisted from stars, moon, and sun, and won Allah's favour. He said: "…I do not like the setting ones." 32 He (a.s.) left his deviated uncle and, consequently, became the father of all people: "…the faith of your father Abraham;…" 33

His uncle was in ill terms with him by saying: "Be gone from me for a long time", 34 but Allah favoured him because Abraham said: "… for verily He is ever affectionate to me." 35

Abraham withdrew from them for the sake of Allah and said: "I will withdraw from you", 36 then he became famous in the world: "…and assigned unto them a high and true renown". 37 He run away from the temple of idols and he became the builder of the House of Monotheism: "And (remember) when Abraham and Ishmael raised up the foundations of the House; …". 38 He sacrificed his life in the path of Allah, and, as a result of it, the fire became safe and sound for him: "We said: 'O fire be a comfort and peace to Abraham". 39 He prepared his son to be devouted as a sacrifice: "…he threw him down upon his forehead", 40 and Allah ransomed him with a great sacrifice which later became obligatory in that place.

Abraham lived childless until nearly the end of his life but he was content with it, so prophethood was assigned in his progeny.

He built the K?'bah in the most deserted place, but it became the most attractive places all over the earth.

He was all alone in the desert when he called out, then there arrived answers from throughout the world: "And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage." 41

He left out his thirsty little child there by the command of Allah, then the water of Zamzam gushed and flowed for ever.

He greeted before the threat of his idolatrous uncle: "He said: 'Peace be upon you, …". 42 Then Allah sent greeting to him when He said: "Peace be on Abraham" 43

Abraham was a single person, but today all the heavenly schools relate themselves to Abraham, in a manner that some pagans, the Jews, and the Christians say that Abraham belongs to them.

The people of his time were his enemy, while Allah chose him as His friend. The Qur'an says: "And Allah took Abraham as a Friend." 44

Notes:

32. Sura Al-'An'am, No.6, verse 76

33. Sura Al-Hajj, No. 22, verse 78

34. Sura Maryam, No. 19, verse 46

35. Sura Maryam, No. 19, verse 47

36. Sura Maryam, No. 19, verse 48

37. Sura Maryam, No. 19, verse 50

38. Sura Al-Baqarah, No.2, verse 127

39. Sura Al-'Anbiya, No. 21, verse 69

40. Sura As-Saffat, No.37, verse 103

41. Sura Al-Hajj

42. Sura Maryam, No. 19, verse 47

43. Sura As-Saffat, No. 37, verse 109

44. Sura An-Nisa', No. 4, verse 125

Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Maryam" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"