Juz 16: Al-Kahf 75 to Ṭā Hā
Section 9 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
9. Ibrahim's Discourse with His Father
After recounting the miraculous stories of Zakariyya and Maryam, Allah subḥānahu wa taʿālā turns our attention to the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), providing another powerful example of faith confronting disbelief within one's own family. This narrative illuminates the tension between familial bonds and religious conviction.
In verse 41, Allah commands us to reflect upon the life of Ibrahim:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا
“And mention in the Book (the story of) Ibrahim. Indeed, he was a man of truth, a prophet.”
Ibrahim's dialogue with his father represents one of the most poignant examples of da'wah (invitation to faith) conducted with wisdom and gentleness, despite facing rejection from his closest family member. Ibrahim approached his father with remarkable respect and affection, calling him "يَا أَبَتِ" (O my father), a term of endearment and honor. This teaches us the proper etiquette when calling others to faith, especially family members.
Ibrahim's primary concern was his father's worship of idols. He questioned him gently:
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنكَ شَيْئًا
“When he said to his father, 'O my father, why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees nor can benefit you in any way?'”
Here Ibrahim presents rational arguments against idol worship. These idols could neither hear supplications nor see devotion, and most importantly, they could not respond to needs or ward off harm. Ibrahim then mentions that Allah has blessed him with knowledge his father does not possess, inviting him to follow the straight path:
يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءَنِي مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطًا سَوِيًّا
“O my father, indeed there has come to me knowledge that has not come to you, so follow me, I will guide you to an even path.”
Ibrahim then directly addresses the core concern – Satan's deception:
يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا
“O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed, Satan is ever disobedient to the Most Merciful.”
This reveals an important theological insight: worship directed at anything other than Allah is ultimately worship of Satan, who is perpetually disobedient to Allah. Ibrahim then warns his father of divine punishment:
يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا
“O my father, indeed I fear that a punishment from the Most Merciful will touch you, and you would become a companion of Satan.”
Despite Ibrahim's gentle approach and rational arguments, his father responded with hostility:
قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِي يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَلِيًّا
“He said, 'Are you turning away from my gods, O Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will certainly stone you. And leave me for a prolonged time.'”
The father threatened physical violence and demanded Ibrahim depart from his presence. Ibrahim's response to this hostility is exemplary:
قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا
“He said, 'Peace be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.'”
Ibrahim chose peace over confrontation. He respectfully departed but promised to continue praying for his father's guidance. This example teaches us that sometimes separation may be necessary when remaining in an environment hostile to faith becomes harmful. Ibrahim then made a final declaration of his intention:
وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا
“And I will leave you and those you invoke other than Allah and will invoke my Lord. I expect that I will not be unhappy in my supplication to my Lord.”
Allah then rewarded Ibrahim's unwavering faith and sacrifice:
فَلَمَّا اعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّا
“So when he had separated himself from them and what they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed upon him Ishaq and Ya'qub, and each one of them We made a prophet.”
Allah blessed Ibrahim with children who would continue his prophetic legacy, showing that when one sacrifices for Allah's sake, Divine compensation follows in unexpected ways.