ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى وَهَبَ لِى عَلَى ٱلْكِبَرِ إِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَسَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ 39
Translations
Praise to Allāh, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication.
Transliteration
Al-hamdu lillahi alladhi wahaba li 'ala al-kibari Isma'ila wa-Ishaaqa. Inna Rabbi la-samee'u ad-du'aa.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) praises Allah for granting him sons—Ishmael and Isaac—in his old age, which was a remarkable blessing given his advanced years and his wife Sarah's barrenness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse demonstrates Ibrahim's gratitude and recognition that all blessings come from Allah alone, while the concluding phrase 'Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication' affirms his faith that Allah answers the prayers of His servants, as evidenced by the fulfillment of his long-awaited supplication for children.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of Ibrahim's supplication and praise within Surah Ibrahim, which emphasizes the prophets' reliance upon Allah. The ayah reflects the broader Quranic narrative of Ibrahim's life and his unwavering faith despite trials. It comes after Allah's command to Ibrahim to call people to monotheism, serving as a reminder of Allah's fulfillment of His promises to the prophets.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (4:55:557) records that the Prophet Muhammad said Ibrahim will meet his father Azar on the Day of Judgment and will be saddened when Azar does not enter Paradise. Additionally, Surah Maryam (19:7-9) contains a parallel account where Zachariah receives similar glad tidings of a son in old age, demonstrating the recurring theme of Allah's power over natural limitations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that gratitude is the proper response to blessings and that sincere supplication to Allah, even when circumstances seem impossible, can be answered through His wisdom. It encourages modern Muslims to maintain faith and thankfulness during trials, recognizing that Allah hears every call and has the power to fulfill His promises in unexpected ways.
Related Ayahs
وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor [i.e., blessings] of Allāh, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ
Allāh, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And woe [i.e., destruction] to the disbelievers from a severe punishment -
تُؤْتِىٓ أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍۭ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا ۗ وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allāh presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.
رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّىٓ أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِى بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِى زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجْعَلْ أَفْـِٔدَةً مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهْوِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ وَٱرْزُقْهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ
Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.