وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 260
Translations
And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead." [Allāh] said, "Have you not believed?" He said, "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied." [Allāh] said, "Take four birds and commit them to yourself. Then [after slaughtering them] put on each hill a portion of them; then call them - they will come [flying] to you in haste. And know that Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise."
Transliteration
Wa-idh qala Ibrahim rabbi arine kayfa tuhyi al-mawta qala awalam tu'min qala bala wa-lakin liyatmaina qalbi qala fakhudh arba'atan min al-tairi fasurhunna ilayka thumma ij'al ala kulli jabalin minhunna ju'zan thumma ud'uhunna ya'tinka sa'yan wa'lam anna Allaha 'azizun hakimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah recounts when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) asked Allah to show him how He resurrects the dead. Although Ibrahim possessed perfect faith, he requested a demonstration to attain greater spiritual tranquility (yaqin) and conviction of the heart. Allah commanded him to take four birds, cut them into pieces, distribute them on different mountains, and call them back—they would return to life and come to him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Ibrahim's request was not from doubt but from a desire to witness and internalize the reality of resurrection, demonstrating the distinction between knowledge ('ilm) and direct witnessing ('ayn al-yaqin).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the discussion on faith and belief in Surah Al-Baqarah (Medinan). It illustrates the nature of absolute trust in Allah while seeking confirmation through tangible signs. The broader context addresses various aspects of faith, including belief in resurrection and the power of Allah, which was essential instruction for the early Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
This incident is referenced in various tafsir works but not as a standalone hadith. However, it relates to the principle in the hadith of Jibril (recorded in Sahih Muslim) where Jibril asked the Prophet about iman (faith), and the Prophet explained the pillars of belief including belief in the Last Day and resurrection. The ayah exemplifies the difference between faith and certainty (yaqin).
Themes
Key Lesson
Even those with profound faith like Prophet Ibrahim may seek tangible confirmation to deepen their spiritual certainty—this reflects the human journey of faith from intellectual belief to lived conviction. The ayah teaches that seeking understanding of divine matters through contemplation and observation is not a sign of weakness but a means of achieving greater spiritual tranquility.
Related Ayahs
ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allāh promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Yes, [on the contrary], whoever submits his face [i.e., self] in Islām to Allāh while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُۥ ۗ فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يَتَرَاجَعَآ إِن ظَنَّآ أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until [after] she marries a husband other than him. And if he [i.e., the latter husband] divorces her [or dies], there is no blame upon them [i.e., the woman and her former husband] for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allāh. These are the limits of Allāh, which He makes clear to a people who know [i.e.,understand].
أَمْ تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَسْـَٔلُوا۟ رَسُولَكُمْ كَمَا سُئِلَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ وَمَن يَتَبَدَّلِ ٱلْكُفْرَ بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
Or do you intend to ask your Messenger as Moses was asked before? And whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.