Juz 7: Al-Māʾidah 82 to Al-Anʿām 110
Section 14 of 17 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
15.Ibrahim's Search for God | Verses: Al-An'am 6:74-83
The narrative of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stands as one of the most illuminating theological discourses in the Quran. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala relates how Ibrahim confronted his father regarding idol worship:
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ آزَرَ أَتَتَّخِذُ أَصْنَامًا آلِهَةً إِنِّي أَرَاكَ وَقَوْمَكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ
“And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father, Āzar: "Do you take idols for gods? I see you and your people in manifest error.”
This confrontation illustrates Ibrahim's exceptional courage in standing against falsehood, even when it meant opposing his own father. In a society deeply entrenched in idolatry, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) recognized the fundamental error in their beliefs and did not hesitate to express this truth. His willingness to speak against his father's practices demonstrates that truth must take precedence over familial bonds when the matter concerns pure monotheism (tawhid).
Allah then reveals how He showed Ibrahim the profound signs of His existence and sovereignty:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ
“Thus We showed Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, that he might be among those who believe with certainty.”
The term malakut (kingdom) refers to the deeper, unseen dimensions of Allah's creation – aspects beyond ordinary human perception. While mulk typically denotes the visible realm that humans can perceive, malakut encompasses the unseen realities of Allah's creation, including the realm of angels and spiritual dimensions.
What follows is Ibrahim's methodical contemplation of celestial bodies, which many scholars understand as a theological exercise to demonstrate the fallacy of worshipping creation rather than the Creator:
فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَىٰ كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ الْآفِلِينَ
“When the night covered him, he saw a star. He said, "This is my Lord." But when it set, he said, "I do not like those that set.”
Ibrahim first observed the stars, which some might consider divine due to their celestial nature. Yet when they disappeared, he recognized that divinity cannot be attributed to something transient. He then turned to the moon:
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِي رَبِّي لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّالِّينَ
“Then, when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my Lord." But when it set, he said, "If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be among the people who went astray.”
His contemplation of the moon—larger and brighter than stars—led to the same conclusion: anything that disappears cannot be God. At this juncture, Ibrahim acknowledges his dependence on divine guidance, showing that true understanding comes through Allah's assistance.
Finally, he observed the sun:
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي هَٰذَا أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ
“Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my Lord. This is greater." But when it set, he said, "O my people, I am free from that which you associate (with Allah).”
The sun, with its magnificent radiance, might seem the most compelling candidate for divinity among celestial objects. Yet it too disappeared, confirming Ibrahim's conclusion that true divinity belongs only to the Creator of these phenomena, not to creation itself.
This experience culminates in one of the most profound expressions of monotheism in the Quran:
إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
“I have turned my face straight toward the One who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not one of those who associate partners with Allah.”
This statement, known as dua at-tawjih, represents pure monotheism and complete devotion to Allah alone. Ibrahim proclaims his exclusive allegiance to the Creator, severing all connections with false deities. This declaration stands as a timeless model of spiritual clarity and commitment to tawhid.
Ibrahim's journey demonstrates that true faith emerges through reflection, observation, and divine guidance. His willingness to sacrifice familial ties for truth illustrates that following the path of monotheism may require difficult choices but leads to the greatest spiritual elevation.