When looking at the formation of speech, every layer has a connotation, a way of thinking, an effect on the heart. Allah is the greatest of orators, and Allah’s miracle to us is through His Kalaam; His speech.
This Surah is dynamically taking the central topic of Tawhid, and drawing examples and proofs of it to settle into one’s heart. Although using the prophets as an example, Allah is showing us what happens with the choices they make; to let these stories be a proof of what may happen in the future with our Tawhid. Of the lessons that took place in these particular times of the Prophets (AS)’s lives.
Sometimes people will not accept what you show them. We can make the effort of Tawhid, but not everyone will understand it.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ١٠٠
“My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring.”” (37:100)
Ibrahim (AS) looks at his children as a blessing, and as believers, we should also see them in this way. We should now view or think of them as burdens. This is a point of gratitude for us.
فَبَشَّرْنَـٰهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ حَلِيمٍۢ ١٠١
“So We gave him good news of a forbearing son.” (37:101)
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ١٠٢
“Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replies, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.”” (37:102)
The purpose here is to draw our attention to these exact moments in the lives of the Prophets (AS), and to apply them to our own lives. For the Qur’an is written to bring change.
Ibrahim (AS) wanted to see the ‘Iman of his son. As parents, we do not know how our children consider their ‘Iman when they are away from us and our supervision. Yet here is a tender consultation to become aware of Allah.
How much are we doing to develop this awareness of Allah in our children? The softness of a statement can nurture this awareness. Not by forcing, but by developing, nurturing, and assigning everything to Allah.
So consider, what are the words we speak teaching our children?
When we do what Allah has commanded us – when our relationship with Allah is valued – the sacrifices we make have amazing and tremendous long-term effects on the generations to come.
The endurance and the patience, with hope in Allah, is what Ibhrahim (AS)’s son understands. Ibhrahim (AS) had a beautiful relationship with Allah, and his son mirrored that relationship. These are the fruits of the effort of faith, from the father to the son.
Our ability is always due to Allah, and never to ourselves.
فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ ١٠٣
“Then when they submitted to Allah’s Will, and Abraham laid him on the side of his forehead for sacrifice,” (103)
It is about ‘Iman being such a big part of Ibrahim (AS) and his son’s lives, that they wanted to fulfil this command of Allah’s together. They developed the ‘Iman of accepting it, and not being passive.
Submission, however, is a process. It is not instant. Shaitaan during this time attacked Ibrahim (AS) and his son to stop them from this command.
Similarly, when we try to get close to Allah, Shaitaan will engage in a seduction process to pull us away or minimise us from these noble efforts.
وَنَـٰدَيْنَـٰهُ أَن يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ١٠٤
“We called out to him, “O Abraham!” (37:104)
قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٠٥
“You have already fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers.” (37:105)
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ ١٠٦
“That was truly a revealing test.” (37:106)
وَفَدَيْنَـٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٠٧
“And we ransomed his son with a great sacrifice,” (37:107)
This test was not a test to break Ibrahim (AS). It was one to test his submission to Allah. And that when we are ready to sacrifice in the path of Allah, He will reward us greatly.
Consider the following impact and the effect of the choice and sacrifice.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ ١٠٨
“and blessed Abraham with honourable mention among later generations:” (37:108)
سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ١٠٩
““Peace be upon Abraham.”” (37:109)
كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١١٠
“This is how We reward the good-doers.” (37:110)
إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ١١١
“He was truly one of Our faithful servants.” (37:111)
Many thousands of years later, Ibrahim (AS) is still regarded honourably.
When Allah grants you the test, He also grants you the solution to that test. And when Allah asks you to sacrifice, He can render the impossible possible.
In the same way He made Ibrahim (AS)’s knife unable to cut his son, only Allah is capable of giving and removing the ability of whatever He pleases. This is the great power and capability of Almighty Allah, as for Him, nothing is impossible.
