۞ وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 124
Translations
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with words [i.e., commands] and he fulfilled them. [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [Allāh] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."
Transliteration
Wa-idhi ibtala Ibrahim rabbuhu bi-kalimat fa-atammahunna qala inni ja'iluka li-n-nasi imama qala wa-min dhurriyyati qala la yanalu 'ahdi adh-dhalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim with divine commandments (kalimat), which he fulfilled completely, earning him the position of Imam (leader) for all mankind. When Ibrahim requested that this honor extend to his descendants, Allah clarified that His covenant of leadership would not extend to those who commit dhulm (oppression/injustice), establishing that spiritual leadership is contingent upon righteousness rather than lineage alone. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ibrahim's trials tested his obedience in various contexts—abandoning idolatry, leaving his homeland, sacrificing his son—demonstrating that true Imamah requires moral and spiritual integrity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan section of Al-Baqarah and contextualizes Ibrahim's station in Islamic theology, particularly relevant as the Qur'an addresses the Jewish and Christian communities regarding their relationship to the Abrahamic legacy. It establishes that spiritual authority in Islam is earned through righteousness, not inherited privilege, which was particularly significant in addressing claims of exclusive covenant based on genealogy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), relating to the concept of Imamah through knowledge and righteousness. Additionally, Surah Al-Imran 3:34 mentions Ibrahim among the chosen line, emphasizing that selection is based on merit and obedience rather than mere descent.
Themes
Key Lesson
True leadership and honor from Allah are earned through steadfast obedience, moral integrity, and justice—not through lineage or inherited status. This teaches believers that spiritual elevation requires continuous adherence to divine principles and that none can claim divine favor solely through family connection; each individual must cultivate their own righteousness.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتِىَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِعَهْدِىٓ أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ
O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it."
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.
كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ
Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.