قُلْنَا يَـٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَـٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ 69
Translations
We [i.e., Allāh] said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."
Transliteration
Qulna ya naru kuni bardan wa salaman ala Ibrahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded the fire to become cool and peaceful for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) after the disbelievers of Nimrod's kingdom cast him into it as punishment for his rejection of idolatry. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this miraculous intervention was a direct response to Ibrahim's unwavering faith and submission to Allah, demonstrating Allah's power to overturn the laws of nature for His righteous servants. The fire retained its heat for the disbelievers but became cool and harmless for Ibrahim, symbolizing Allah's protection of the faithful and His punishment of those who reject His signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Al-Anbya that recounts the story of Prophet Ibrahim's defiance of idolatry and his subsequent persecution by King Nimrod and his people. The broader surah celebrates various prophets and their miracles, demonstrating Allah's consistent support for His messengers throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The incident is referenced in various classical Islamic sources. Sahih Bukhari contains accounts of Ibrahim's trial, and Tafsir Ibn Kathir references reports about how the angels approached Ibrahim to greet him while he was in the fire, as mentioned in other Quranic passages (37:98-99).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true reliance upon Allah during trials brings divine protection and that no hardship is greater than Allah's ability to transform it. For modern readers, it reinforces that steadfastness in faith and rejection of falsehood, despite worldly opposition, results in Allah's support and ultimate vindication.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ ءَاذَنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ ۖ وَإِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ أَم بَعِيدٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ
But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.
وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِينَ
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakāh; and they were worshippers of Us.
فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَٰذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ
So he made them into fragments, except a large one among them, that they might return to it [and question].
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا ۚ فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.