يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَـٰذَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ قَدْ جَآءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَإِنَّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِمْ عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرْدُودٍ 76
Translations
[The angels said], "O Abraham, give up this [plea]. Indeed, the command of your Lord has come, and indeed, there will reach them a punishment that cannot be repelled."
Transliteration
Yā Ibrāhīmu aʿrid ʿan hādhā innahu qad jāʾa amru rabbika wa-innahu ʾātīhim ʿadhābun ghayru mardūd
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Prophet Ibrahim to stop interceding for the people of Lot, as the divine decree against them has already been issued and cannot be averted. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this ayah demonstrates that even the intercession of the greatest prophets has limits when Allah's judgment has been finalized. The phrase 'ʿadhābun ghayru mardūd' (punishment that cannot be repelled) emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of the torment that awaits those who persist in grave sin.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Ibrahim's dialogue with the angels who came to destroy the people of Lot (Liwat). Ibrahim had been pleading with Allah to spare the inhabitants of that city, but this verse marks the point where he is commanded to cease his supplication, as Allah's decision is irreversible. The context shows Ibrahim's compassion tempered by submission to divine will.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ibrahim's intercession relates to the general principle in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the limits of intercession on the Day of Judgment. Additionally, Surah Al-Anʿam 6:51 emphasizes that sincere warning is the duty of believers, though the ultimate acceptance rests with Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while supplication and intercession for others are noble acts, we must ultimately accept Allah's divine wisdom and justice. It reminds us that when clear signs are rejected and grave sins are committed, there comes a point where mercy gives way to accountability, encouraging us to focus on our own spiritual rectitude and sincere guidance of others.
Related Ayahs
فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فِى دَارِكُمْ ثَلَـٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍ
But they hamstrung her, so he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied [i.e., unfailing]."
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
[They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends.
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبَ عَنْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلرَّوْعُ وَجَآءَتْهُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ يُجَـٰدِلُنَا فِى قَوْمِ لُوطٍ
And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue [i.e., plead] with Us concerning the people of Lot.
وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ
And We do not delay it except for a limited term.